An estimated 650 Metro Detroit schoolchildren converged onto the Matthaei Center on Wednesday, May 4, to participate in a worldwide event promoting the prevention of childhood obesity and the importance of regular exercise.
The annual event, called "All Children Exercising Simultaneously" (ACES) Day, draws thousands of elementary school students to sites globally for exercise and promotion of physical activity in schools.
WSU's Center for School Health in the College of Education, and WSU Athletics, partnered with the Michigan Fitness Foundation and Danialle Karmanos' Work It Out to co-host the event that concluded with a yoga exercise regimen.
Joining the third through fifth grade students were civic, government, educational and health leaders including: M. Roy Wilson, WSU president; Mike Duggan, City of Detroit mayor; Bill Schuette, Michigan attorney general; Danialle Karmanos, founder, Danialle Karmanos' Work It Out; and Luanne Ewald, interim CEO of the Children's Hospital of Michigan-DMC.
"We were excited to support this year's ACES day," said Nate McCaughtry, assistant dean, Division of Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies and Center for School Health director. "The mission of informing kids about the importance of regular exercise and healthy eating habits is at the heart of our day-to-day work here in Detroit. The ACES day programming is an excellent vehicle for us to raise awareness about the issue of childhood obesity and take action to address it with our co-sponsors."
ACES Day was created by physical education teacher Len Saunders in 1989 as a method of motivating children to exercise. ACES takes place on the first Wednesday in May as part of National Physical Fitness and Sports Month along with National Physical Education Week. It has been labeled as "the world's largest exercise class" by the media.
Since 1989, millions of children from all over the world exercise together to promote proper health and fitness habits. With the obesity epidemic facing the youth of the world, children's fitness plays a major role in fighting heart disease.
"For children, 60 minutes of physical activity every day is critical," said J.J. Tighe, president and CEO of the Michigan Fitness Foundation. "The Michigan Fitness Foundation is grateful for the support of Wayne State University and Danialle Karmanos' Work It Out for ACES Day. Their commitment helps children appreciate how enjoyable physical activity can be, and develop healthy habits for life. It's great to see hundreds of children on the field getting active and having so much fun."
"I'm thrilled that Work It Out has been selected to guide the students in yoga for ACES Day in Detroit," said Karmanos. "The thought of seeing hundreds of youth on yoga mats practicing alongside each other is outstanding. ACES Day is the perfect example of collaboration with organizations that know the importance of children leading healthy and active lives."
Support from Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan allowed schools participating in ACES Day to receive free planning materials, including an online idea kit for teachers, educational newsletters and stickers for every participant.