Dance Dance Revolution Contest a Success

Galesburg, IL – Over 140 kids crowded the gym at the Knox County YMCA late Saturday afternoon to participate in the first ever Dance Dance Revolution Contest.  The event, sponsored by the Knox County Healthy Communities Project and hosted by the YMCA, was held with the purpose of encouraging healthy lifestyle choices among Knox County youth; specifically, nutrition and physical activity. The event included competitive rounds of the interactive video game Dance Dance Revolution, a chance to play Nintendo Wii, nutritious snacks, lots of door prizes, and a multitude of other activities.

“We were pleased with the number of kids we had come out and participate,” Justin Inskeep, Program Director for the Knox County YMCA stated, “and the YMCA was more than happy to host this event for the Knox County Healthy Communities Project.”  “There were a few bugs that will need to be worked out if we hold the event again,” noted Inskeep, “but over all we were very pleased with the results, and the kids left happy and exhausted, which is the most important part.”

Knox County data indicates that 21.5 percent of residents are classified as obese and another 30.1 percent are overweight; yet only a third of those individuals state that they are currently taking action to lose weight.  Additionally, only a small percentage of Knox County adults report eating the recommended 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day and almost half comment that they know they don’t get enough exercise. The lack of exercise and poor nutrition are leading to potentially epidemic rates of obesity in area residents, which is a significant contributing factor for the community’s health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and other preventable forms of chronic disease.”

“It is important for kids to understand that there are many different ways for them to be physically active,” Michele Fishburn, Public Health Programs Coordinator for the Knox County Health Department reported. “It doesn’t have to be the same old boring thing every day; it’s vital that children realize that, that they adopt healthy habits now and continue them as adults.”  Fishburn also noted that, “there are schools in the U.S. that include these interactive video games as part of their physical education programs.”  “I think it’s a great idea, you encourage them to be physically active by doing something they already enjoy; in some cases the kids probably don’t even realize they are doing something that is good for them.”

The contest grand prize was a Nintendo Wii, which was awarded to Eric Brunig.  Other first and second place prize winners included:  9 and under:  Aliyah Cervantez and Fernando Diaz; age 10 – 14:  Lindsey Seiberlich and John Kemper; age 15 to 19:  Tom Fornander and Amy Fitzpatrick.

For more information regarding healthy lifestyle choices please contact the Knox County Health Department at (309) 344-2224.