New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/09/2014 -- In a unique attempt toward the fight against childhood obesity, children in the United States exercised for ten continuous hours on Thursday, October 2, 2014 in the sixth annual Exercise US, or Exercise United States day. As stated in US News & World Report referring to the Exercise US program - - “In a unique attempt to fight childhood obesity and cuts being made to school physical education programs, elementary, middle, and high schools from New York to Hawaii and Alaska have signed on to a newfangled "fitness relay" event.”

The concept in very simple - - Beginning at 8:00 am (est.), schools in New Jersey exercised from 8:00 - 8:15 am. When their prearranged time slot was over, schools in New York began their prepared exercise session from 8:15 – 8:30 am. Once an organized 15-minute time allotment ends, another location will pick up where the last school or organization left off. This pattern will continue for 10 hours until the last time slot is filled at 3:00 pm (pst.). Schools have been signing up for their 15 minute time slots since early May.

Len Saunders, a physical education teacher in New Jersey, and author of Keeping Kids Fit (LaChance Publishing, NY), created the Exercise US event. Saunders is also the creator of Project ACES, which has motivated millions of children to exercise over the last 20 years.

According to Saunders, “this could be the first generation of children whose life expectancy may be shorter than their parents. With the rise of type 2 diabetes and other health related diseases associated with obesity, children need motivational techniques that get them to exercise.” Saunders is thrilled to introduce this exciting program on a national level.

To learn more about the Exercise US program in greater detail, or to see the list of schools that have signed up to participate, visit the Exercise US web site at: http://www.uskidsworkout.com

Next year, the program will be moved to September to honor National Childhood Obesity Month, with the date set for September 30, 2015. Schools can start signing up now for next year’s event!

To schedule an interview with Len Saunders, please call 732-406-2167 or email him directly at len@lensaunders.com. Great opportunity here to discuss childhood obesity.

About Len Saunders
Len Saunders http://www.lensaunders.com has been recognized by Sports Illustrated, Ladies Home Journal, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times as an innovator in children’s fitness. Over 30 years of experience has yielded Saunders numerous awards for his hard work and dedication at the local, state, and national levels. He serves as an educator, role model, consultant, motivator, author, and program creator for children and parents worldwide.