- Inaugural event will raise awareness of the need for healthy living practices among youth -

Louisville, KY –   The Louisville Urban League is asking everyone to “use your feet to help defeat childhood obesity” at the inaugural Walk to Defeat Childhood Obesity planned for October 15 at Churchill Downs, 700 Central Avenue, Gate 10.

The Louisville Urban League’s Walk to Defeat Childhood Obesity is an effort to bring awareness to a rapidly growing epidemic among Kentucky’s youth.  Kentucky was named the seventh most obese state in the country, according to the seventh annual F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future 2010 report from the Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. While the state's adult obesity rate is 30.5 percent, the childhood obesity rate is a whopping 21 percent for youths ages 10 – 17, ranking Kentucky third out of 50 states and D.C. for childhood obesity.

This family, fun-filled event is made possible by the generosity of our corporate sponsors and partners, UPS, Humana Foundation, Churchill Downs and the Norton Healthcare Centers for Prevention and Wellness, Kroger, YMCA, WAVE 3 and the Mayor's Healthy Hometown.

Registration starts at 9:30 a.m.  Early registration fees before October 8 are $20 for adults and $10 for youth 18 and under.  The one mile walk kicks off at 10:30 a.m. and will wind through many familiar areas of Churchill Downs including the Gate 10 entrance, paddock, infield tunnel, infield and back.   Parking is free of charge at the Longfield Lot at Churchill Downs.

Available before and after the actual one mile walk, the Norton Healthcare Health MarketPlace will provide access to health resources in our community and provide health screenings and information with the goal of taking a step towards reducing obesity, chronic illness and cancer in our community.

Proceeds will fund health and wellness activities for economically disadvantaged youth enrolled in Louisville Urban League programs.  Developing healthy lifestyle activities and essential college preparation skills are some of the core objectives of the League’s youth programs.

Walkers can register online by clicking here or call Tim Tomes at 566.3417.  A Walk to Defeat Childhood Obesity t-shirt will be given to each registered participant while supplies last. Parking is available for free in the Longfield Parking Lot at Gate 10. For more information or to download the brochure, click here.

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About the Louisville Urban League

For 90 years, the Louisville Urban League has assisted disadvantaged people attain social and economic stability and prosperity through direct services and advocacy. The League works to provide a skilled and diverse workforce; to increase homeownership; to revitalize neighborhoods and to develop our youth so they are prepared for careers in the modern day business world. The League’s work and results are evident in the lives of the over 12,000 people it touches each year. For more information, go to www.lul.org.