The purpose of the Count Your Steps program is to increase physical activity in children. Pedometers are being provided to third and fourth graders in Oakland County in an effort to encourage behavior change with fun activities.

The program will run from March 2 - 27, 2009, to encourage students to count their steps and increase their physical activity levels.

• In just 10 years, the number of obese children in the U.S. has doubled.
• Today's young people are considered the most inactive generation in history.
• Obesity costs society nearly $100 billion annually.
• Television, computers and video games have given kids reasons to cut physical
  activity from their schedules.
• Studies show obese children between the ages of 10-13 have an 80% chance of becoming an obese adult.