MORE THAN ONE IN FOUR Oregon youth are overweight or obese. Unhealthy weight puts these young people at risk for lowered self-esteem, bullying, depression, and discrimination. And, if nothing changes, they face serious health threats such as diabetes and heart disease as adults.
EFFORTS ARE UNDERWAY across the country to help young people to make positive changes... and some are making a difference. But WE CAN DO MORE to reach the goal of healthy bodies and healthy communities for our youth. And we think youth are a big part of the solution.
OREGON YOUTH IN ACTION is supporting young people, helping them develop programs that will help their peers get healthy... programs that youth can relate to and will engage in. We're looking for a few great ideas from Oregon's young people that will make a difference, today and tomorrow.
ON JANUARY 22, Gov. John Kitzhaber, medical experts, and a panel of youth leaders from around Oregon kicked off theOregon Youth in Action Contest.Thanks to our generous sponsors, five teams of young people will each be awarded up to $2,000 to implement projects in their communities that help achieve one of the four "Let's Move" goals.
The Four Pillars for making it happen!
The Four Pillars of the national "Let's Move" campaign are at the heart of the Oregon Youth in Action Contest.... and a great place to start to make positive change happen. Here are Let's Move's Four Pillars to combat youth obesity:
1. Help parents make healthy family choices
2. Create healthy schools
3. Provide access to healthy and affordable food
4. Promote physical activity.
Oregon Youth in Action
Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities Forum
Read The Oregonian article
about the Forum and
come back soon for video from
this important event
Oregon Youth In Action wants to hear from teams of young people (middle and high school age) about their ideas for projects that focus on promoting healthy communities eating, physical activities and taking action in your community. and addressing child obesity.
Project should:
Forum Resource booth visitors learned about healthy eating and options for activity.
Members of the Forum's youth panel were joined by Class 24 members Carmen Rubio (left) and Lucrecia Suarez (right).
American Leadership Forum Class 24 members prepare to greet attendees for the Jan. 22, 2011 Oregon Youth in Action Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities Forum
Youth visit resource booths organized around the "Four Pillars" of the national Let's Move campaign prior to the start of the Forum.
Resource booths offered young people information and opportunities for fun during the afternoon.
Gov. John Kitzhaber delivered the keynote address at the Oregon Youth in Action Forum.
Gov. John Kitzhaber with Class 24 member Cylvia Hayes.
Gov. John Kitzhaber talks with Forum attendees.
About 200 people attended the Oregon Youth in Action Forum on Jan. 22, 2011 at the Portland Building.
ALF Class 24 members, following the Forum.
Dr. Minot Cleveland offered statistics illuminating the obesity epidemic.
Dr. Daniel Marks stressed the science behind healthy lifestyles.
Youth panel moderator John Haroldson urged all the attendees to get up and stretch during the Forum
Class 24 member John Haroldson moderated the youth panel.
Class 24 members Peggy Maguire and Kevin Cambell served as MCs for the Oregon Youth in Action Forum.
Percentage of 11th graders who bought soft drinks at school one or more days per week in
2005: 34.9
Percent increase in fraction of 11th graders who played video games more than two hours a
day over the same period (2001 to 2005): 76
Percent increase from 2001 to 2005 in fraction of Oregon 11th graders who watched more
than two hours of T.V. on an average school day: 35
Quick Links:
Read about the Contest (English) (Spanish)
Download the contest entry form (English) (Spanish)
Share the invitation to youth
Make a tax-deductible donation
to Oregon Youth in Action
through the American Leadership Forum of Oregon
Overview & Mission
The American Leadership Forum (ALF) of Oregon is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that brings a diverse range of corporate, public and non-profit leaders together to build effective networks of collaboration, service and community throughout the state. By creating a network of leaders with established bonds of trust and mutual support, ALF strengthens the skills and commitment of leaders to utilize collaborative approaches to dealing with often complex community and statewide issues.
The ALF Mission Statement:
The purpose of the American leadership Forum of Oregon is to join and strengthen leaders in order to better serve the public good. It enhances leadership by building on the strengths of diversity and by promoting collaborative problem solving within and among communities.
Oregon Youth in Action - a project of American Leadership Forum of Oregon Class XXIV - info_oregonyouth.org
Questions? (503) 636-2288
![forum-postcard[1]](http://static.wix.com/media/740b191bea05bfe5469f3c12902ca900.wix_mp_128)
