Whether it be running or skipping, bungee jumping or fly-fishing, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) wants you to pick a VERB and get moving!
On July 17th, DHHS’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention kicked off the VERB™: It’s What You Do Youth Media Campaign, a public-private partnership targeted at kids 9 to 13 years old (commonly called “tweens”). The campaign’s goal is to encourage tweens to lead healthful lifestyles through physical activity and community involvement. “Our goal is for the VERB™ campaign to motivate and inspire our children to get active and involved—and to have fun doing so,” DHHS Secretary Tommy Thompson said.
VERB™: It’s What You Do urges tweens to find a verb or two that fits their personality and interests, such as playing tag or jumping rope, and to get out and do it. The campaign hopes to give kids alternatives to sedentary activities like surfing the Internet or watching television. A group of celebrity endorsers will serve as role models to show the benefits of physical activity. Television and radio spots as well as a Web site will provide games, interesting facts, and innovative ideas on how to get active.
Partners of VERB™ include Disney, AOL Time Warner, Viacom, and Primedia. For more information on VERB™, visit the Web site at www.VERBnow.com.
