Boys & Girls Clubs Across the Country Attempt to Break World Jumping Jack Record / Denver and Colorado Clubs Taking Part

FOR TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

4:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.

In an attempt to make history, kids from more than 800 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country are set to begin jumping this coming Tuesday during National Boys & Girls Club Week at exactly the same time, WHAT: continuing for two minutes non-stop. In Colorado, kids from more than a dozen clubs around the state are ready to start jumping - including as many as 100 kids at the Boys and Girls Clubs' Jefferson County Branch at O'Connell Middle School in Lakewood. The Jumping Jack or Star Jump record is defined as, "the most people Star Jumping simultaneously at multiple venues for two consecutive minutes," according to Guinness World Records. To break the current record, more than 278 kids need to jump. Jumping Jacks are called Star Jumps in some countries because the arms, legs and head form a five-pointed star. Nearly one-third of children and teens in the U.S. are obese or overweight, according to multiple studies. Overweight children are at an increased risk for diabetes, heart disease and emotional problems and are more likely to become obese adults. Overweight and obese adults are at an increased risk for chronic diseases including Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease and WHY: some cancers. Children can avoid these devastating diseases by adopting and maintaining healthy habits early on. The messages behind this event are therefore very simple. Eat healthy. Be more physically active. Exercise can be as simple as good old fashioned jumping jacks! No fancy gear or gym memberships are needed. The event is part of Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Triple Play program, which is supported by founding sponsor Coca-Cola and the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation. The program encourages kids to eat healthier, become more physically active and increase their ability to engage in healthy relationships. The Jefferson County branch will serve as the "signature" site in metro Denver. Please note that other clubs in the Denver metro area and Colorado at large will also be participating; for further information, please contact Laura Graham with the Boys & Girls Club Metro Denver at [phone] x145 or Joyzelle Davis with WHERE: Anthem at [phone]. Jefferson County Boys & Girls Clubs Branch O'Connell Middle School 1275 Teller St. Lakewood, CO 80232 [phone] WHEN: 4:15 - 4:25 pm - Arrive at the program 4:30 pm - "Star Jumps" (jumping jacks) Begin 4:32 pm - "Star Jumps" End Laura Graham with Boys & Girls Club of CONTACT: Metro Denver [phone] x 145 or [e-mail] Joyzelle Davis with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield [phone] or [e-mail]

/PRNewswire -- March 21, 2011/

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield