Chicago Minority Youth Obesity Program Goes Interactive with Launch of New Website

Walgreen Co. has announced that it is taking its fight against childhood obesity to the web with the launch of www.getfitwithwalgreens.com. The new website is the Internet component of the award-winning "Get Fit with Walgreens" program, a curriculum-based fitness initiative designed to help Chicago and suburban minority youth develop healthy lifestyles and perform better in school.

"Ending childhood obesity requires the commitment of students, parents and school leaders, and 'Get Fit with Walgreens' engages all three groups," said Arne Duncan, Chicago Public Schools CEO. "It's a powerful program because it establishes great eating and exercise habits, which will stay with our students throughout their lives."

Getfitwithwalgreens.com will serve as an additional tool to complement the classroom-based program. Teachers will have access to the curriculum and be able to retrieve educational materials, while students can enjoy additional fun activities and stories that encourage healthy living. Parents and the general public can also log on for fitness and nutrition tips.

Content on the website is directed toward third grade students. However, getfitwithwalgreens.com is open to anyone who wants to learn more about the program and how to live a healthy life.

"In an interactive age, it's important to have an online component as part of a program that promotes well-being," says John Grant, Vice President of Store Operations for Walgreens. "We believe that learning about healthy eating and exercise should go beyond the classroom. We want to get parents involved and encourage them to promote healthy living at home as well. We know this website will provide the materials needed to get the entire household focused and interested in becoming and staying healthy."

Walgreens created the "Get Fit" program in 2004 to assist in the fight against childhood obesity. Since its inception, the program has grown with more than 4,500 students participating in the curriculum-based program. In 2008, the "Get Fit" program focuses on third grade students from 35 different Chicago public and suburban schools with the goal of encouraging these students to take an active role in their well-being. Taught by classroom teachers and physical education teachers, the program is designed to motivate students to reach their fitness goals and maintain a healthy diet.

Walgreens is the nation's largest drugstore chain and operates 6,179 stores in 49 states and Puerto Rico. Walgreens is expanding its patient-first health care services beyond traditional pharmacy through Walgreens Health Services, its managed care division, and Take Care Health Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary that manages 142 convenient care clinics at drugstores. Walgreens Health Services assists pharmacy patients and prescription drug and medical plans through Walgreens Health Initiatives Inc. (a pharmacy benefit manager), Walgreens Mail Service Inc., Walgreens Home Care Inc. and Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy LLC. More information can be found at www.walgreens.com.