World-Class Olympian Visits Treasure Valley Children to Fight Childhood Obesity from Inside the Classroom - Archived

In Boise, Nampa and Meridian elementary schools, Ashton Eaton will play GoNoodle, a suite of interactive desk-side exercise breaks designed to improve student performance and increase physical activity

(Boise, ID) – Treasure Valley students are getting a lot more active these days, thanks to a sponsorship of GoNoodle by Saint Alphonsus Health System and the High Five Children’s Health Collaborative, powered by Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health.

With childhood obesity still the leading health issue affecting children, the fact that many kids fall well below the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity, and research proving the benefits of physical activity on learning, Treasure Valley schools will be using GoNoodle, a new interactive resource designed to get kids up and moving during the school day. To date, Boise schools students using GoNoodle have achieved more than 6,000 minutes of desk-side activity in just one month!

GoNoodle brings a series of interactive physical activity breaks right into the classroom. Each physical activity break of GoNoodle is designed to provide students 3-5 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity right next to their desks. Research proves these short bursts of physical activity have positive health benefits and improve student engagement, behavior and achievement.

“Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic and educating children early in life about the necessity of physical activity, can play a powerful role in preventing obesity and its consequences”, said Sally Jeffcoat, CEO of the Saint Alphonsus Health System. Dave Jeppesen, Senior Vice President of sales and marketing at Blue Cross of Idaho added “That is why we are excited to sponsor GoNoodle and make it available to our southern Idaho school districts.”

One of the GoNoodle physical activity breaks, “Run With US”, features Olympians and Olympic caliber athletes leading students in virtual track and field events. Ashton Eaton, Gold Medalist in the Decathlon at the London Olympics in 2012, is one of 10 track and field stars featured in Run With US. Ashton will visit Treasure Valley-area elementary schools in-person on Wednesday, October 16 to lead students in GoNoodle physical activity breaks.

“As someone who has devoted my life and livelihood to being physically active, I'm proud tohelp share that passion with elementary school students across the country and hopefully inspire another generation with the benefits of being physically fit,” said Olympic Gold Medalist Ashton Eaton.

In addition to the track and field game, GoNoodle includes dancing, stretching, and even calming exercises, along with games that incorporate spelling, vocabulary and math with physical activity. Teachers can learn more about GoNoodle by visiting www.gonoodle.com.

About GoNoodle


GoNoodle is a research-based classroom resource for elementary teachers to improve student engagement and youth health through desk-side physical activity breaks. Helping to increase energy and focus while improving classroom behavior, GoNoodle can be played on an interactive whiteboard, projector or computer screen. GoNoodle is powered by HealthTeacher, Inc., the interactive leader in youth health. Learn more at gonoodle.com.

About Saint Alphonsus Health System


Saint Alphonsus is a 387-licensed bed regional medical center serving people throughout the Northwest. As a not-for-profit medical center, Saint Alphonsus reinvests profits back into the community and works to improve the health and well-being of those we serve by emphasizing care that is patient-centered, innovative and community based. Saint Alphonsus focuses on providing services in a spiritual, healing environment, and is renowned for its state-of-the-art digital environment and pioneering technologies; award-winning clinical services; and the region’s only Level II Trauma Center. Saint Alphonsus is part of Saint Alphonsus Health System, a four-hospital, 714-bed integrated healthcare system serving the full range of the health and wellness needs of the people in southwestern Idaho, eastern Oregon and northern Nevada. Saint Alphonsus Health System is a member of Trinity Health. For information about Saint Alphonsus, visit www.saintalphonsus.org.

About High Five Children’s Health Collaborative


The High Five Children’s Health Collaborative, powered by the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, is a state-wide effort to fight childhood obesity in five ways: increase physical activity, improve access to healthy and affordable foods, healthier schools and childcare facilities, educate parents to make healthier choices and promote public policies the fight the cause of obesity. For more information visit the High Five website highfiveidaho.org.