The Lutheran Family Health Centers, NETS Basketball and Health Plus teamed up for the second year to help kids Shoot for Better Health and improve fitness and dietary habits by scoring a perfect 5-2-1-0 every day. Endorsed by the American Diabetes Association, this unique initiative aimed at reducing obesity and obesity related chronic diseases tipped-off with a Dance Dance Revolution demonstration for Dewey Middle School students with NETS legends Kerry Kittles and Darryl Dawkins, their mascot Sly and the NETS Dancers.

While over 150 students from five local schools participated in the campaign launch, ultimately all 14 schools in the LFHC School Health program will be phased-in, bringing the total impact to 13,125 students.

The "5-2-1-0" wellness model was developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and encourages overall wellness by promoting better diet habits and more activity. How kids can score a perfect 5-2-1-0: Eat five servings of fruits and vegetables, limit TV and computer time to two hours a day, get at least an hour of exercise a day, and cut out soda or sugar sweetened drinks. Twenty five percent of children in LFHC's service area ages 6 to 11 are obese/overweight. Being overweight is the greatest risk factor for developing diabetes in children.

As a major contributor to the program's success, the NETS will also host a full-day basketball clinic on March 2, and a reward night to honor 5-2-1-0 participants at Izod Center on March 24.