CARE CHOICES SPONSORS FREE SWIM PROGRAM FOR KIDS

Fit Kids, Healthy Future activity aimed at fighting childhood obesity

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., May 17, 2005 – To encourage kids to get out and enjoy physical exercise in the summer weather, Care Choices HMO is teaming up with Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation to offer a July Swim Program. Through the Care Choices Fit Kids, Healthy Future program, youths ages 17 and under can participate for free (adults pay a nominal fee) at several Ann Arbor pools. This program, endorsed by the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports, is available each Tuesday evening in July (5, 12, 19, 26) at the following Ann Arbor pools:

Fuller Park
1519 Fuller Road
(734) 994-4263
6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.—Family Swim*
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.—General Swim**
(Restricted to the tot pool, water slide and diving well area.)

Buhr Park
2751 Packard Road
(734) 971-3228
6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.—Family Swim*
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.—General Swim**

Veterans Memorial Park
2150 Jackson Road
(734) 761-7240
6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.—Family Swim*
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.—General Swim**

“Care Choices really believes in making a difference in the health and well-being of the communities we serve,” said Gilbert Burgos, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer of Care Choices. “The July Swim program is a good avenue to encourage children to exercise and is a “real life” way we can work on reducing childhood obesity.”

The latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that among children and teens ages 6-19, 16 percent (almost 9 million) are overweight, or 45 percent higher than ten years ago. According to the CDC, obesity increases a person’s risk for a number of serious conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and some types of cancer. Studies show that vigorous exercise burns calories to help fight obesity. Other benefits of regular physical activity are enhanced academic performance, creativity, imagination and a positive self-image.

For more information on the Fit Kids, Healthy Future program, call Care Choices HMO at (800) 852-9780 or click here.

Care Choices HMO is a nonprofit health care organization and a subsidiary of Trinity Health, one of the nation’s leading providers of health care services. Since 1986, Care Choices has been providing quality health care to its thousands of members throughout Michigan. Care Choices offers a broad, fully integrated network of physicians, hospitals and other health care professionals all sharing a strong commitment to improving the health status of the communities it serves by delivering effective and affordable health care. Care Choices HMO maintains the highest rating available of Excellent by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and holds a B+ financial-strength rating from A.M. Best Co.