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The First Lady of New York, Michelle Paige Paterson paid the studios of WDKX a visit yesterday to promote the launch of "Healthy Steps To Albany: First Lady's Challenge." The wife of Governor David Paterson is passionate about helping children adopt healthy lifestyles.
"Childhood obesity is an epidemic that is threatening our families' long-term health," said Mrs. Paterson. "It's not just a weight issue - it's all of the health problems that come with it - type 2 diabetes, heart disease, etc."
The first African American First Lady in New York State also earned her graduate degree in health care management from Syracuse University, and is the Director of an HMO.
The First Lady stressed that staying active and eating right is crucial to the overall success of our kids.
"Exercise and nutrition not only improve physical health, but also affect how our children perform in school," the First Lady added. "Poor nutritional status and hunger interfere with cognitive function and are associated with lower academic achievement. Healthy students are four times more likely to do better in school than obese students. These problems are preventable, and must be addressed by our schools, our communities and our
government."
While talking to us yesterday, the First Lady made a statement that shocked us all - "This may be the first generation of kids who may not out live their parents."
The first phase of the program is being launched in Upstate New York and the second will be launched Downstate.
"Healthy Steps to Albany: First Lady's Challenge" is a six-week fitness program geared toward middle school students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. Participating classrooms represent a team, and student team-members log their minutes of activity on-line. Students will use the "Healthy Steps" website to convert various exercises into steps and class-teams track their step progress on a map that highlights fun facts about New York State. The teams that log the most steps will be rewarded with a luncheon hosted by the Governor and First Lady, a trip to a local organic farm, and other prizes.
For more information on the First Lady's initiative, please visit: http://www.healthystepstoalbany.ny.gov.
The Dean's List asked the First Lady a question that I will ask everyone I interview this year.
What did the election of Barack Obama as President mean to you?
"I never thought that I would see this happen in my lifetime. I was so happy and excited to be there and witness history. It reminded me of Martin Luther King's I have a dream speech in Washington. In years to come - I can say 'I was there'." - NYS First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson
Write The Dean's List with your thoughts or comments at: thedeanslist1@gmail.com
