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Contact Information: "Most people don't really understand that the most serious health consequence of calcium deficiency is the lack of adequate bone development and later serious bone weakness or osteoporosis," stated Cabot President Dr. Richard Stammer. He went on to add that taking action about calcium benefits' applies to adults, too. "Research shows us that adequate calcium helps in the prevention of breast and colon cancer, reduces symptoms of Pre Menstrual Syndrome (PMS), lowers blood pressure, and calcium, especially dairy calcium is a healthy, effective means for weight loss. We need our teens to get this message out - we adults certainly haven't." "America is in a calcium crisis," said Isabel Maples, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association, one of the original Challenge sponsors. "Low calcium intake is one of the most significant nutrient deficiencies identified in the federal government's Healthy People 2010. Children's bones are like a bank account where they can deposit and save calcium to help them later in life. It's important to get this message out." The Calcium Crisis Challenge targets teenagers in grades six through eight across the country. Teachers and teens can register for the challenge at www.CabotCalciumChallenge.com. The site explains how to take the Challenge and invites teens to design creative ways to inform their peers about the importance of calcium nutrition. Developed by students, teachers and health professionals, the Calcium Crisis Challenge is designed to encourage creativity to effectively communicate the message and change in behavior. Entries can come in the form of an essay, web site, work of art, or any other medium that engages teens and helps them make better nutritional choices. The program allows individual classrooms, schools and entire metropolitan regions to take this challenge with Cabot providing funding for the larger community and regional initiatives. Creation of the website followed the successful launch of the first Calcium Crisis Challenge held last October at the Smithsonian Institute's National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. Over 600 students representing 42 schools in the DC, MD and VA metropolitan area competed for $12,500 in prize money by featuring their compelling calcium message exhibits. Museum scientists featured their collection of fossils to graphically illustrate what a lack of calcium means in bone development. A follow-up survey shows that teens have made calcium and exercise a more significant part of their daily lives. Cabot Creamery Cooperative is the founding sponsor of the Calcium Crisis Challenge. Other sponsors include the Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association, the Washington Freedom women's soccer team, the International Dairy Foods Association, and the cheese makers of The National Cheese Institute. Cabot has been in continuous operation in Vermont since 1919 and makes a full line of award-winning cheeses, butter and other dairy products. Cabot is owned by the dairy farm families of Agri-Mark, the Northeast's premier dairy cooperative. For additional information on Cabot Creamery, "ski" our website in Vermont at www.cabotcheese.com. Printer-friendly version |
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