Bastyr University and Premera Blue Cross Launch Innovative Childhood Obesity Prevention Pilot Program

KENMORE, WA, August 31, 2011 (Press-News.org) Bastyr University and Premera Blue Cross today announced the launch of an innovative pilot program aimed at preventing or reversing childhood obesity. The Active Pediatric and Parental Lifestyle Education (APPLE) Core pilot program takes place Saturday, September 10, 2011, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. on the Bastyr University campus in Kenmore. Hosted by the Bastyr University Department of Nutrition and Exercise Science and presented in partnership with Premera Blue Cross, the program aims to promote healthy lifestyle choices to overweight and obese children and their families. The one-day event is a pilot program for a week-long day camp for children, which will launch in summer 2012.

"Childhood obesity is one of this country's fastest growing epidemics, and we at Bastyr University want to take steps to improve the health of our nation's youth," said Tiffany Reiss, PhD, APPLE Core director and director of the Exercise Science and Wellness program at Bastyr University. "To do so we need to educate not only the children, but their parents as well. That, in addition to the overall approach to good health we're taking, is what makes this program unique."

Participating families will spend quality time together learning about health, nutrition and exercise in a supportive, educational setting. As part of the day's activities, parents will receive a lesson in how to shop for healthy groceries, and parents and children will learn how to prepare a healthy dinner together as a family. The hands-on, interactive program will promote healthy living strategies to overweight and obese children and their families using a holistic approach that includes:

*Whole-food nutrition education

*Integrative physical activity

*Behavioral therapy

*Health education to promote healthy lifestyle choices

*Family culinary training to prepare healthy, balanced meals

"Premera Blue Cross and Bastyr University have a shared goal of improving the health of our members and our communities," said Neil Kaneshiro, MD, Assistant Medical Director at Premera Blue Cross, who is meeting with families at APPLE Core. "Childhood obesity is a leading cause of chronic lifelong illness, and we are pleased to partner with Bastyr to empower and enable children and families to manage their health. The APPLE Core program will provide tools that help family members support each other in making healthier lifestyle choices."

The APPLE Core program is seeking a dozen local families (12 adults and their children) to participate in this one-day program, free of charge. To be eligible, children should be between the ages of 8 and 12 years old, and parents must complete a registration and health history questionnaire form.

If you or someone you know is interested in participating in this innovative workshop, please email Jeanne Garthwaite at jgarthwaite@bastyr.edu with the subject title "APPLE Core." Include your names, address, telephone number, email address and total number of family members who wish to attend. You may also call (425) 602-3260 for more information.

Interested media may contact either Derek Wing with Bastyr University DWing@Bastyr.edu 425.602.3107 or Amy Carter with Premera Blue Cross Amy.Carter@Premera.com 206.399.3177.

ABOUT BASTYR UNIVERSITY
Bastyr University, located north of Seattle, Washington, is an accredited institution, internationally recognized as a pioneer in natural medicine. Bastyr is the largest university for natural health arts and sciences in the U.S., combining a multidisciplinary curriculum with leading-edge research and clinical training to educate future leaders in fields such as naturopathic medicine, acupuncture and Oriental medicine, and whole food nutrition. Founded in 1978 as the John Bastyr College of Naturopathic Medicine, Bastyr University now offers more than 15 accredited degree and certificate programs. Bastyr was the nation's first natural health arts and sciences university to receive funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Bastyr University Research Institute plays a key role in the growth of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) research. The University's teaching clinic, Bastyr Center for Natural Health, offers quality health care to the greater Seattle community while providing essential clinical training for students. For additional information about Bastyr University and its teaching clinic, Bastyr Center for Natural Health, visit www.Bastyr.edu or www.BastyrCenter.org.

ABOUT PREMERA BLUE CROSS
Our mission is to provide peace of mind to our members about their healthcare coverage. We provide health plans and related services to more than 1.6 million people. Premera Blue Cross has operated in Washington since 1933, and Alaska since 1952. Premera Blue Cross is a not-for-profit, independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

Premera Blue Cross is a member of a family of companies based in Mountlake Terrace, Washington that provide health, life, vision, dental, stop-loss, disability, and other related products and services. Please visit www.premera.com for more information.