INDIANAPOLIS, IN - This month, the Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity at the Indiana State Department of Health and INShape Indiana partnered with GoTrybe.com to provide Indiana’s youth with a Web site promoting physical activity and nutrition.  Through this unique partnership, school-aged youth across the state can visit http://www.gotrybein.com/ for FREE through Thursday, April 30, 2009 to learn healthy habits.

A 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey showed 75 percent of Hoosier high school students did not engage in daily exercise and less than 20 percent ate the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables.

The first online community of its kind, GoTrybe.com has developed a modern approach to promoting physical activity and nutrition.  Building off of social networking sites like Facebook and YouTube, GoTrybe.com provides a creative, interactive environment for school-age youth to learn about physical activity and nutrition.  Young people are able to join a virtual community where they actively participate in fitness videos, learn about healthy eating habits, and receive motivational support from teachers and peers.  The exercises and nutritional content are age-specific and can be done in a classroom setting.

“Public health must keep up with the latest communications technology and continually try to talk with young people about health in ways they find interesting and engaging,” said State Health Commissioner Judy Monroe, M.D.  “GoTrybeIN.com provides our state with a great opportunity to try out a technology-based initiative and gauge its effectiveness in communicating with young people and teachers across the state.

“GoTrybe offers educators the ability to supplement current physical education classes with a Web-based program designed to engage kids in a fun and exciting way,” said Dr. Monroe.

Indiana schools and youth-related organizations that take advantage of the free trial of http://www.gotrybein.com/ will be eligible to participate in the Governor’s Fitness Award Program.  The award is given to students who take part in a teacher- or adult-monitored exercise and nutrition program over a specific period of time.

“Many factors, from environment to teaching methods, can impact student learning. A student’s physical fitness and health are no exception,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett.  “I encourage educators and parents to work as a team and engage Hoosier students in utilizing this innovative program.”

To sign up for GoTrybeIN.com and to find out more about the Governor’s Fitness Awards, Hoosiers can visit the INShape Indiana Web site at: http://www.inshapein.gov/ .