NEW YORK, NY (October 18, 2010) — Hundreds of children and their parents enjoyed games and cooking demonstrations, along with free BMI screenings at Taste the Apple, an event to encourage good nutrition and healthy lifestyles co-sponsored by EmblemHealth and Hip4Kids at The Children’s Aid Society.

EmblemHealth, which provides health insurance through its companies Group Health Incorporated (GHI) and HIP Health Plan of New York, co-sponsored the event — the second of three youth-oriented community outreach programs — as part of the New York State Department of Health’s Performance Improvement Project on Childhood Obesity. To drive home the important role fitness and healthy eating play in overall wellness, EmblemHealth partnered with Hip4Kids, a not-for-profit, community-based organization that connects chefs, nutritionists, and community leaders to educate parents and children about healthy lifestyles.

According to Dr. William A. Gillespie, EmblemHealth Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, the community events permit EmblemHealth to educate its members and the community at large by providing information about good nutritional habits, the importance of physical activity for a healthy lifestyle, and the role of body mass index (BMI) in understanding healthy weight.

“These events are part of our ongoing efforts to encourage healthy behavior and reduce the growing rates of childhood obesity among New York City children,” says Dr. Gillespie. “Educating parents and children about the importance of BMI and good nutrition is a great way to get kids off to a good start by encouraging healthy habits that will last a lifetime.”

As part of this initiative, EmblemHealth provided free BMI screenings along with educational information about healthy weight, nutrition and physical activity. It also distributed information on the American Academy of Pediatrics 5-2-1-0 Campaign, which encourages children to eat five fruits and vegetables every day; limit TV/computer time unrelated to school to two hours or less a day; get one hour or more of exercise every day; and substitute water and low-fat milk for sugar-sweetened drinks.

EmblemHealth is also working to educate its physicians about the importance of discussing healthy weight with their patients and accurately recording member BMI percentages.

Taste the Apple was the second of three community events co-sponsored by EmblemHealth and Hip4Kids this fall. The final event will be held in conjunction with the Urban Go Green Expo on Saturday October 23rd at The Pope Auditorium at Lincoln Center. For more information, visit www.urbangogreenexpo.com.

About EmblemHealth:
EmblemHealth, Inc., through its companies Group Health Incorporated (GHI) and HIP Health Plan of New York (HIP), provides affordable, quality health care coverage and administrative services to approximately 3.3 million people. Groups and individuals can choose from a variety of PPO, EPO and HMO programs, as well as prescription drug, dental and vision plans. Plans offer a choice of networks, including access to over 106,000 quality doctors and other health care professionals and most of the leading hospitals across the tristate region. For more information, visit www.emblemhealth.com.

About Hip4Kids:
Hip4Kids Inc., which stands for Hospitality Industry Professionals for Kids, is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization designed to educate parents and children on the fundamentals and ongoing importance of healthy eating and good nutrition. Hip4Kids’ primary components include multi-media learning programs and community outreach through innovative educational lifestyle programs for children and young adults. Hip4Kids connects chefs, nutritionists, health educators, community leaders and other professionals to organize and implement hands-on workshops and health fairs designed to educate parents and their children about healthy eating, nutrition and healthy lifestyles. For more information, visit http://hip4kids.org.