GHI, New York Mets Team Up to Combat Childhood Obesity

Kids take fitness pledge to receive free tickets to upcoming New York Mets home games

FLUSHING, N.Y., September 9, 2007 -- New York-based health insurer Group Health Incorporated (GHI) today announced that it has teamed up with the New York Mets to raise awareness about childhood obesity by asking kids to sign a pledge to adopt better nutrition and exercise habits. The reward: Improved health and free Mets tickets. The reason: approximately 20% of New York City's children in grades three through six are considered overweight or obese.

As part of their commitment to keeping families healthy, GHI is sending letters to subscribers encouraging parents to have children over the age of eight to commit to the Kids Fitness Pledge. In addition, GHI Employees and their families are being targeted for this new initiative. By adopting the goals set out in the pledge, children and their parents can take steps to prevent obesity through healthy eating habits and increased exercise. Once a child has signed the pledge, parents can redeem the pledge at one of four locations for complimentary Mets tickets for select September home games at Shea.

"Statistics regarding childhood obesity are staggering, and the numbers are on the rise," said Frank Branchini, CEO, GHI. "GHI is proud to partner with the Mets to help children become more fit and healthy. This initiative is part of GHI's ongoing commitment to educate New York's families about nutrition and fitness and to promote a healthy lifestyle."

GHI and the Mets also have donated 1,000 tickets to the Queens Borough President Helen Marshall's Office and 2,000 tickets to IS 145 (Joseph Pulitzer Middle School) in Jackson Heights in support of the countywide effort to promote childhood fitness.

"Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions, not only in New York, but across the entire country," said Dave Howard, Executive Vice President, Business Operations for the Mets. "By hosting our 1st Annual Kid Fitness Education Day at Shea earlier this season and working with GHI to launch the Kid Fitness Pledge program, the Mets have shown a commitment to combat this growing concern."

"We are in a unique position as a professional sports team to reinforce the benefit of a healthy lifestyle," said Howard, "Partnering with Kid Fitness advances that effort."

The Kids Fitness Pledge initiative was announced today at the Mets Health Fair where GHI also offered free blood pressure screenings and educational material regarding prevention of cardiovascular disease and healthy nutrition to participants.

Children who sign the Kids Fitness Pledge promise to:

• Eat 2 pieces of fruit and 3 vegetables each day.
• Eat less junk food and choose healthier snacks.
• Drink 3 glasses of low-fat milk and 3-4 glasses of water each day.
• Drink soda or fruit punch (8 oz. cans) no more than two times per week.
• Watch TV or play video/computer games no more than two hours each day.
• Be active each day by playing a team sport, bike riding, or exercising. Examples of such activities include running, handball, ping pong, tennis, playing at the playground, shooting hoops, or jumping rope

Group Health Incorporated (GHI) is a statewide health insurer serving New Yorkers since 1937. GHI and its wholly owned subsidiary, GHI HMO, provide health care coverage and administrative services to more than 2.6 million people. GHI offers customers a variety of PPO, EPO and HMO programs, as well as prescription drug, dental, and vision plans. GHI's network in the tri-state area includes nearly 81,000 practitioners at over 124,000 locations. For additional information about GHI, please visit www.ghi.com.

Source: MLB

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