CHICAGO, March 23 /PRNewswire/ -- With the number of children who are overweight doubling in the last two to three decades(1), it's critical for teens and their schools to implement programs that promote good nutrition and physical fitness. The National "got milk?" Milk Mustache Campaign recognizes that numerous schools across the country have already taken an active role in developing those programs and is launching a program to lend support. From March 15 through June 15, 2006, the "got milk?" Healthiest Student Bodies Contest is teaming up with Sports Illustrated and Teen People to scour the country and honor teens and schools who encourage and uphold healthy lifestyles.

The "got milk?" Healthiest Student Bodies contest will reward fifty students and their schools for their efforts in promoting good nutrition and physical activity. Students can log on to whymilk.com beginning on March 15 to nominate their schools through a questionnaire and brief essay. A panel of health and fitness experts will help select the winners. Winning students will receive a prize package, including cool new gear from Adidas and Baby Phat/Phat Farm, while their schools will receive a $1,000 grant and a special milk mustache assembly at the school.

And anyone who nominates their school can score big just for entering! Everyone who enters at whymilk.com will get the scoop on the next milk mustache celebrity. All contestants will receive a call from one of the next milk mustache celebrities before their ad debuts, an exclusive perk available only to contest participants.

Keeping Up With Active Teens

It's no secret that milk is good for teens. But recent research also shows that drinking milk can help teens achieve the look they want. Studies indicate that milk protein plays an important role in building and keeping muscle. Other studies suggest that teens who get enough milk are more likely to weigh less and have less body fat than those who don't.(2)

By drinking three eight-ounce servings of low fat or fat-free milk each day in place of sugary soft drinks with little or no nutritional value, along with regular exercise and eating smart, teens can help keep their bodies looking toned and healthy.

Winning is a Click Away

Applications will be available at whymilk.com March 15 through June 15. Following the conclusion of the contest, representatives from the President's Council on Physical Fitness, School Nutrition Association, National Center for Health Education, American School Health Association, Sports Illustrated and Teen People will be among those assisting with the judging process.

The 50 winning schools will be unveiled at the start of the 2006-07 school year, and the got milk? team will begin visiting winners in September.

For the official "got milk?" Healthy Student Bodies contest materials, complete rules and more information, visit whymilk.com.

 

    (1): Based on research from the National Institutes of Health
    (2): Novotny, R. et al. Dairy intake is associated with lower body fat and
         soda intake with greater weight in adolescent girls. Journal of
         Nutrition. 2004; 134(8): 1905-1909; Phillips, S.M. et al. Dairy food
         consumption and body weight and fatness studied longitudinally over
         the adolescent period. International Journal of Obesity. 2003; 27
         (9): 1106-1113.

The Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP), Washington, D.C., is funded by the nation's milk processors, who are committed to increasing fluid milk consumption. Together with dairy farmers, the MilkPEP Board runs the National "got milk?" Milk Mustache Campaign, a multi-faceted campaign designed to educate consumers on the benefits of milk. For more information, go to http://www.whymilk.com .

The tagline "got milk?"® was created for the California Milk Processor Board by Goodby Silverstein & Partners and is licensed by the national milk processor and dairy producer groups.