On Wednesday, October 7, students will be participating in the annual Kansas Kids Fitness Day. This event will take place at Panther Stadium (925 E. Madison Ave., Derby) and will include around 700 third graders from Derby and surrounding area schools. The event is scheduled from 12-2PM. This function promotes an awareness of fitness and encourages students to live a healthy active lifestyle.  Kansas Kids Fitness Day is also focused on cooperative and team activities promoting good communication and sportsmanship.  We encourage everyone to come out and support the wellbeing of Kansas Kids.

Kansas Kids Fitness and Safety Day is a statewide event held every year on the first week in May. We are choosing a September date to hopefully catch better weather. This event focuses on increasing physical activity and safety awareness among 3rd grade students in Kansas. Nearly 18,000 students participate each year at more than 40 sites across the state.  

The 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Survey conducted in Kansas High Schools reported that 13.1% of students surveyed were at risk for becoming overweight and 12.4% of students were overweight. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that children and adolescents participate in 60 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week, preferably daily. The benefits associated with regular physical activity include: weight control, increased muscular strength, improved bone mass, improved cardiovascular fitness, decreased blood pressure, improved self-esteem, reduced anxiety and stress. In 2009, only 49% of Kansas High School students reported being physically active for a total of 60 minutes per day on five or more days of the past seven days.