Citing new evidence that many parents lack the information to prevent obesity in their children, Shape Up America! and National Turkey Federation (NTF) today announced a national mobilization to help First Lady Michelle Obama fight childhood obesity by arming parents with the facts and tools to make simple changes – or “upgrades” – in favorite meals and physical activity levels so everyone can reap the benefits of taking in less calories.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/shapeup/49869/
Rising food prices are causing poor children and families in developing countries to sink deeper into hunger and malnutrition, according to Children International, a leading U.S.-based humanitarian organization.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, 925 million people around the world go hungry each day compared to 848 million in 2007. Experts blame the high cost of gasoline and diesel fuel as a main cause for the spike in food prices globally. As gas prices soared in 2010, food prices have risen with the same speed, leaving poor families helped by Children International with few options. Most poor parents work long hours for little pay and lack the money needed to purchase food and cook a nutritious meal.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/childreninternational/46389/
Pampers, the iconic and one of the original diaper brands to distribute disposable diapers around the globe, is continuing its year-long 50th birthday celebration with the completion of their most recent mission in its Little Miracle Missions program, which seeks to celebrate, support and protect babies everywhere through acts of kindness to little miracles (babies) and their families, while encouraging parents to “pay it forward” and support others.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/49336-Pampers-50th-Anniversary/
BabyCenter.com, the #1 pregnancy and parenting destination worldwide, today released its 2011 U.S. Cost of Raising a Child report, which reveals interesting insights into the mindset of today’s new and expectant parents, especially given the current state of the economy. Deciding to have a baby is a big decision for couples and waiting until the time is right is important, but if a couple is waiting until they think they can afford a baby, they may be waiting longer than expected.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/51430-babycenter-recession-generation-study
Each week high school football teams across the country are making bold plays – their own Friday night feats. Today, State Farm® Insurance Companies kicks off Friday Night Feats, a national high school football video contest that aims to get schools and communities to a better state. Beginning August 25, the biggest moments of the season as captured by players, parents and fans can win up to $17,500 for their high school.
Eligible fans, coaches, players and community members can submit videos to the State Farm Friday Night Feats contest page, www.FridayNightFeats.com, from Aug. 25 until Nov. 28 to be considered as the best Friday night feat of the 2011 high school football season. Through Friday Night Feats, State Farm recognizes the hard work and effort of high school students to get their community and their school to a better state.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/51694-state-farm-friday-night-feats/
Childhood obesity is a nationwide epidemic, but the Hispanic community is particularly affected. Children of Hispanic descent are significantly more likely to be overweight and obese than non-Hispanic Caucasian kids, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
For 11-year-old Alejandra and her parents, food was an expression of love. But overeating and other unhealthy habits led this young girl to become overweight. Today, Alejandra knows that you can eat right and still eat well. At BeSmartBeWell.com , Alejandra and her parents show how they've changed their ways without sacrificing their culture or love of food.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/besmartbewell/50822/
Carol Platt was caught in the middle of the economic downturn with no backup plan. Searching for a stable job in an unstable economy proved to be difficult without a college degree. Her work history and past successes were overlooked. It had always been a dream of hers to complete her degree; after a failed first attempt, she was unsure of her ability to follow through. She began researching online education options and felt that Kaplan University stood out; she decided to complete her college degree online. Carol enrolled in Kaplan University’s School of Business and Management and earned her bachelor’s degree online, focusing on business with an emphasis in human resources.
The adult continuing education program at Kaplan University is designed for working professionals who seek to further their career or, like Carol, want to earn their university degree online.* Students can complete assignments on a schedule that fits their lives. It’s this type of flexibility that helps prepare Kaplan University online students for success. Even if you already have an established career, it’s never too late to consider online business school to further your knowledge and update your skills. Increase your marketability with one of Kaplan University’s online bachelor degree programs without taking time off of work to attend class.
* Kaplan University's programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue employment in their field of study, or in related fields. However, the University does not guarantee that graduates will be placed in any particular job, eligible for job advancement opportunities, or employed at all. Additional training or certification may be required.
“I grew up in Graham, North Carolina. My parents both worked for the textile mills, both had fourth grade educations and my mom always wanted me to get an education. When I graduated from high school it was my dream to go to college. I failed the first class of my life which was my chemistry class. I was just overwhelmed so I left after about a year and half, got a job and kept trying to go back to school. For me it was personally devastating. It really bothered me. I felt like I was failing. I had one shot and I blew it.
When Jenna left for boarding school I couldn’t even open the door and go in the room and I was almost 52. All of that coincided with the downturn of the market. I had almost $6 million dollars in contracts waiting to close and they all fell through—every single one of them. I thought, ‘now what? I don’t have a degree, there are no jobs.’ It doesn’t matter what I had done or how much success I had, the requirements are to have a degree. Not only that, I had to walk back in the door competing with people half my age and many of them had MBAs.
It was just a matter of figuring out how to do it—so that’s when I started to check into what were the institutions, what was the cost, how were they respected. Kaplan [University] had a degree in business with a specialty in human resources. As I started narrowing the options down, it made it into about the final three. I took those three finalists to my traditional education friends and I said, ‘I want to know what the most respected online degree would be if someone was coming into your office looking for a job.’
The IT Dean, the Computer Science Dean, felt like Kaplan [University] had the best online delivery program that was out there. The Academic Dean’s advice was that this is a respected degree that you’re not going to have people questioning whether you were competent when you came out. Everything that you take there will be accepted if you go on to a master’s [program] anywhere so that was a very good recommendation. When I sat down at graduation, 31 years later, and I’m looking up at the podium and it says, ‘Kaplan University: a Different School of Thought’ that was probably more me because I do think a little differently. I’m willing to work on things that innovate and I think that’s more of an opportunity for me and many students like me.~N
The Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) are joining the Ad Council today to unveil a new series of national public service advertisements (PSAs) to raise awareness about childhood lead poisoning. The PSAs are being distributed today to kick off National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW). Additionally, the campaign’s social media presence through Facebook and Twitter will reinforce to parents, caregivers and pregnant women that if their home was built before 1978, they should have their child tested for lead poisoning.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/52687-ad-council-lead-poisoning-prevention-week-english-psa
On November 17, millions of Americans will mark the American Cancer Society’s 36th annual Great American Smokeout by giving up smoking for the day, and maybe for good. Because smoking can trigger asthma symptoms in children, quitting is an important first step toward protecting kids’ health. BeSmartBeWell.com tells parents the steps they can take on the Great American Smokeout, and every day of the year, to lower the risk for childhood asthma.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/childhoodasthma/50826/
Sara is not a typical 11 year old. Her parents are dedicated to saving animals and using nature to cure diseases. Sara learns of an ancient legacy and the power within her to save endangered animals. An 800-year old medallion holds the key to unlocking her power. Learn about the book here http://bit.ly/Serpentauria Learn about the author here http://bit.ly/ErikDShein Adventure, Tween
Join Michael Flatley, Martin Sheen and Saoirse Ronan in answering Ireland’s call to use your connections this St. Patrick’s Day. The Irish ambassadors appear in an inspirational video on ConnectIreland.com calling on some 70 million people worldwide who claim Irish ancestry to use their connections to help create new jobs in Ireland.
Irish-American Lord of Dance Michael Flatley, whose parents emigrated from Ireland in 1947 to Chicago, has lent his support to ConnectIreland to deliver a new Irish Government programme called Succeed in Ireland to help promote Ireland as a destination for international business.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/53786-connectireland
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced the launch of new public service announcements (PSAs) to raise awareness about the importance of choosing the right child safety seat and making sure it is installed properly. The ads, released in partnership with the Ad Council, promote car seat safety among parents of children up to age 12. Data from the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show an estimated 8,959 lives were saved by child restraint systems from 1975 to 2008.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/55319-nhtsa-launches-new-psas-about-car-seat-recommendations-for-children
