Healthy Me Week Aims To Change Attitudes June 2 - 8, 2014

Launches 7-day challenge to Get up, Fuel up, Own up

Media event: June 2, 2014 in Toronto with Minister Kellie Leitch, Olympian Mark Oldershaw, the cast of Family Channel's The Next Step and hosts from YTV and TELETOON

TORONTO, May 28, 2014 /CNW/ - Healthy Me Week kicks off in Canada on June 2, 2014.  Now in its third year, this national initiative is led by Companies Committed to Kids (CCK) whose membership includes a broad range of Canadian companies including leading media corporations. The event runs annually in the first week of June. The goal is to motivate and inspire Canadian families to Get Up, Fuel Up, Own Up and make health a priority.

"Healthy Me Week provides families with the nudge needed to make positive changes for the sake of their long-term health and well-being. It's about making small changes every day that lead to big health improvements over time," says CCK President Bev Deeth.

Healthy Me Week launches a 7-day challenge to all Canadians and introduces achievable daily goals that every Canadian family can incorporate into their lives. The 7-day challenge is available at healthymeweek.ca.

"Physical activity and healthy eating play an integral role in the health, well-being and quality of life of Canadians. I applaud the work that all Healthy Me Week partners are doing to highlight the week's messages to Get Up, Fuel Up and Own Up and I encourage Canadians to take the 7-day Challenge," said Health Minister, Rona Ambrose.

"Empowering Canadian families, particularly children and youth, to make positive lifestyle changes has been a priority of mine throughout my private and public careers. This collaboration brings together folks from diverse sectors to champion healthy and happy life-choices for Canada's kids – and the Government of Canada is honoured to be a partner," added Dr. Kellie Leitch, Member of Parliament for Simcoe-Grey and Minister of Labour and Status of Women, who will participate at the launch event on behalf of Minister Ambrose.  

With the help of Minister Leitch, Olympian Mark Oldershaw, the cast of Family Channel's The Next Step, hosts from YTV and TELETOON, and hundreds of school aged kids from the Greater Toronto Area, Healthy Me Week hosts a media kick off event in Toronto at the University of Toronto's Varsity Arena on June 2, 2014. For more details, click here: http://bit.ly/1is5hXJ

About Healthy Me Week
Healthy Me Week is a national initiative, held annually in the first week of June, that empowers Canadian families to adopt a healthier, more active lifestyle.  Launched in 2012, it is led and promoted by the following partners:  ACTIVE AT SCHOOL, APTN, BellMedia, Best Health, Kids CBC, Canadian Produce Marketing Association, Family Channel, NBA,  Nestle Canada, ParentsCanada,  ParticipACTION, Public Health Agency of Canada, Shaw Media, TELETOON Canada, Today's Parent, University of Toronto Varsity Blue, Verve Girl, YMCA Canada, YTV and youth health and well-being advocate Companies Committed to Kids.  For more information, please visit healthymeweek.ca

About Companies Committed to Kids
Companies Committed to Kids (formerly Concerned Children's Advertisers) is a unique non-profit organization and model of corporate social responsibility.  Our 19 Canadian member companies are committed to understanding and contributing solutions to challenging issues that impact children, including healthy active living, bullying prevention, media literacy, and mental wellness.  The organization is also supported by numerous partners, including child-centred issue experts, advertisers, and broadcasters.  As committed Canadian companies, Companies Committed to Kids' mission is to contribute to the overall wellness of Canadian children.  For more on CCK, visit www.cck-eee.ca

SOURCE: Companies Committed to Kids (CCK)

Media Contacts: Rebecca Webster, 416-562-5294 (cell), [email protected], Webster Media Consulting; Anne Lovegrove, 416-566-6644, [email protected], Companies Committed to Kids