
	January 2010

Let's Go! identifies positive changes in children's health behaviors.

New local research shows that Let's Go! is making strides in reducing childhood obesity rates. The program is reporting changes in behaviors and an increase in awareness of obesity issues and prevention messages.

Let's Go! has adopted the easy-to-remember campaign message, 5-2-1-0, and new results just released indicated that awareness of the 5-2-1-0 message has increased from 14 percent in 2007 to 43 percent in 2009. Awareness of the Let's Go! Initiative has also increase from 9 percent in 2007 to 45% in 2009.

More parents are reporting that their children are adopting healthier behaviors: a jump of 27.3 percent in the number of children meeting at least 3 out of the 4 recommended behaviors of the 5-2-1-0 model, (from 22 percent in 2007 to in 28 percent in 2009.) You can read the complete press release here and the Annual Report for full detail here.

School Nutrition Director Workgroup

The Let’s Go! School Nutrition Director Workgroup, convened in 2007, is a group of School Nutrition Directors from several Greater Portland school districts. They meet regularly with Let’s Go!’s staff to develop strategies to address both challenges and opportunities in providing healthy meals to students. Click here to read more about the group's 2009-2010 goals.

In addition, Let's Go! is working with the School Nutrition Directors to help educate the public about the intricacies of School Nutrition Programs. Click here to access documents that are part of the Let's Go! School Nutrition communication plan.

Community Mini-Grant Announcements

The purpose of Let’s Go!’s Community Mini-Grant Program is to advance promising interventions as part of the Let’s Go! community effort to promote physical activity and healthy eating with a direct focus on policy and environmental changes.

Click here for a brief summary of projects that were recently awarded Let's Go! Community Mini-Grants.

Where in the Region is Redy?

Redy is a native Mainer and has lived in the Portland area all his life. He appears at events and locations throughout the state.

Like any true Mainer, Redy likes to participate in winter sports.

Can you guess where Redy is in this photo?

Reply to this E-News with your answer. The first person to guess correctly will receive a Let's Go! jump rope.

Answer to our last E-News WitRIR?

The walking path at Pleasant Hill School in Scarborough.

Redy gives those of you who guessed correctly a big Red(y) thumbs-up!

Online Workplace Toolkit Goes Live!

Let’s Go!’s primary target is children and youth from birth to 18 years old. With this in mind, Let’s Go!’s workplace efforts focus on exposing parents in the workplace to the same 5-2-1-0 message that is being delivered to kids and families at schools, child care, after school, the doctor’s office and in communities.

If you are interested in broadening Let’s Go!’s reach and strengthening its impact by sharing the 5-2-1-0 message with your employees, please access our online 5-2-1-0 Goes to Work Toolkit for resources.

5-2-1-0 Goes to a Pirates Game!

The Portland Pirates team and Let’s Go! would like to present an educational day of hockey full of fun and interactive learning activities that promote health and well-being for the students of Maine on Feb 2nd 2010. Through interactive workbooks students can remain positive about healthy life styles while enjoying an exciting game of hockey. Click here for a copy of the flier.

Latest Funding

The Kids Co-op, at the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital, received $10,000 from The Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare Foundation for sponsorship of the 2nd Annual 5-2-1-0 Goes to School Symposium. Thank you Harvard Pilgrim, a Let's Go! Platinum Supporter!

Latest News & Research

Studies and news articles appear regularly regarding the current status of healthy living in this country. Let’s Go! finds most of its most trusted and pertinent research via three very reliable sources. As so much is coming out in support of healthier eating and increased physical activity for children and families, we've decided to hook you up with the latest and greatest resources on current research. Click here for our three favorite research resources...

Link to E-News archive.