'Be Fit and Healthy in Campbell'

Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the last 30 years, says the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

All over the country, school districts are looking at ways to combat this epidemic. In Campbell, the city's recreation and community services department has joined First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign.

And getting Campbell teens up and active is also the theme for this year's Campbell Civic Improvement Commission's Student Poster Contest.

This year, participants are encouraged to share their view on the theme of what it means to “Be Fit and Healthy in Campbell.”

"Youth involvement and youth engagement are some of the priorities of our commission," says Jill Brewer, member of the Campbell civic improvement commission. "This is a good way to involve them with activities in our commission."

The contest, in its eighth year, encourages fifth-grade students in Campbell to submit posters that exemplify the theme. Every school will have at least one student recognized, and there will also be an overall grand winner. Last year, there were more than 100 entries.

will give away a Specialized Hardrock mountain bike, a $400 value.

"I think it’s a big carrot," says Ric Paul, owner of Wheel Away Cycle Center. "It’s a good motivator. You know, it’s not like you get a box of cookies. It's something significant."

 Paul says that it's good to get out, and cycling does that.

"It's great cardio, low impact and you get to see more," he says. "When we know so much about obesity, it's good to know that we can motivate someone to get out of the house, away from the computer games and get some exercise."

The winners will have their posters on display in storefronts throughout downtown Campbell.

The deadline for submission of posters is April 1.  For complete details, refer to the attached press release.