Preventing Obesity through Sports
Obesity is generally caused by one or more of several factors - poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, genetics and environment.  Participation in these sports and recreational events will provide a direct incentive to "get active and get fit."

Sports events and promotions will:

• Provide education on both diet and fitness training for participants
• Engage participants in active physical routines
• Help participants set realistic and achievable goals
• Promote an active lifestyle environment
• Offer exposure to new sports and recreational activities that involve physical fitness.

The youth participants will become role models for their peers and, just as importantly, their parents.  Event participation, success and overall encouragement will bring families and businesses together.  Parents and adults may choose to participate in Live Healthy Washington, a statewide obesity prevention program dealing with adult weight issues and, ultimately, further reduce obesity in this state.

The obesity initiative will be implemented as part of the sports events using an established program.  This will generate additional enthusiasm and excitement throughout the state as people work in teams to achieve healthy weight loss and more active lifestyles.  Other states have found this to be an effective component of statewide sports events. This broader obesity prevention campaign can help reduce the increasing number of youth and adults who are overweight or obese.