COLUMBIA, Mo. – Hundreds of Missouri 4-H members, parents, volunteers and friends have challenged themselves to get fit and move more for the past six months as part of the 4-H Move Across Missouri (MOVE) healthy living challenge. The effort, which is sponsored by Missouri Care, a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans Inc., is designed to encourage 4-H clubs, families and friends to “move” by adding more exercise into their daily routines.

Since the launch of the 2017 challenge, 473 individuals signed up to MOVE and engage in healthy living activities. Ninety-five percent of them regularly recorded physical activity throughout the competitive period of the challenge (Feb. 1-April 30). A total of 3,297,615 minutes or 54,960 hours of physical activity were logged. Individual and team winners were announced May 30.

“The goal is to encourage youth to lead a physically active life and carry these practices into adulthood,” said Alison Copeland, state 4-H youth development specialist. “4-H strives to equip young people with healthy-living knowledge and skills that will prepare them physically, emotionally and socially to meet the challenges of the 21st century.”

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents over the past 30 years. 4-H healthy living programs like MOVE are working to change these statistics by helping youth understand the importance of eating right and being active.

While the competitive period for MOVE has ended, the 2017 program continues through Dec. 31. Youth and adults are encouraged to continue to track their physical activity. For more information about MOVE, visit 4h.missouri.edu/4hmove.

About Missouri 4-H

4-H, the nation’s largest youth development organization, grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for careers tomorrow. 4-H programs empower nearly 6 million young people across the U.S. through experiences that develop critical life skills.

MU Extension 4-H connects the technical knowledge of Mizzou to a community of more than 200,000 youths from across Missouri learning about the sciences, leadership, citizenship and skills for life. For more than 65 years, the Missouri 4-H Foundation has been managing funds for the MU Extension 4-H Youth Development Program, providing higher education scholarships and recognizing 4-H volunteers.