Further details of the StateLeadership Challenge will be available in February

By 2007, the number had jumped to 25.6 percent, anincrease of 155 percent. Childhood obesity is particularly alarming,having tripled in the past two decades.Obesity is also costly, both from a hard numbers and human impactperspective In 2000, the U.S. Surgeon General estimated that obesity costthe country $117 billion in both direct and indirect costs; today, thatestimate is closer to $123 billion. Additionally, the Surgeon General'sdata shows obesity is responsible for 300,000 deaths each year. Andobesity-related conditions, such as heart disease, hypertension and type-2diabetes, put further burden on the country's already-strained healthcaresystem.To raise awareness of these troubling trends, participating governors andtheir teams will compete in the Capitol Steps Challenge by tracking theirdaily activity for two weeks. Research has found an overwhelming amount ofevidence proving the positive relationship between physical activity andgood health According to a U.S.

Surgeon General's Report, more activepeople are more energetic, more productive, and have much less chance ofdeveloping life-threatening diseases and debilitating conditions."All 14 states are off to an impressive start in the Capitol StepsChallenge and we congratulate them on drawing national awareness to thegrowing issue of obesity," said Chris Boyce, CEO of Virgin HealthMiles."Throughout the two-week Challenge period, Virgin HealthMiles willmotivate participants through a variety of fun activities. This helps keepparticipants energized and engaged to achieve fit lifestyles and improvedhealth. It's a formula that's been embraced by our clients, provensuccessful with our members, and already we're thrilled by our stateleaders' enthusiasm."At the end of the Challenge, Virgin HealthMiles will declare the stateteam with the highest average steps per person as the Most ActiveGovernor's Team in the nation and will make a $50,000 donation to thatstate's childhood obesity program. The winner of the Capitol StepsChallenge will be announced in late February at a ceremony hosted intandem with the National Governor's Association meeting in Washington,DC. Sir Richard Branson will attend the ceremony and personally presentthe $50,000 prize to the winning state.The second phase of Virgin HealthMiles' obesity awareness initiative, theState Leadership Challenge, will kick off in February and involve teams of250 individuals from U.S. state government offices embarking on ayear-long program to increase their physical activity. State LeadershipChallenge participants will be leading by example to educate theirconstituents about how increased activity levels can improve wellness.Based on activity levels, states can earn donations of up to $125,000toward their childhood obesity programs.

Further details of the StateLeadership Challenge will be available in February.For more information about the Capitol Steps Challenge and to track theprogress of each state's team, visit Member of the media canalso follow the Capitol Steps Challenge on Twitter at cStepsChallenge.About Virgin HealthMilesVirgin HealthMiles provides employee health programs that pay people toget active. The company's preventative approach, based on physicalactivity and healthy lifestyle change, attracts an average of 40 ofemployees who participate, which helps organizations reduce medical costsand improve employee productivity and satisfaction. Over 100 industryleaders, including American Diabetes Association/Shaping America'sHealth, APL Limited, Hospital Corporation of America-Shared Services,Jack in the Box, Louisville Metro Government, and Shands JacksonvilleMedical Center, have selected Virgin HealthMiles' award-winning programfor their employees. For more information, visit WilsonTier One Partners(781) 652-0499Email ContactTwitter: cStepsChallengeCopyright 2009, Market Wire, All rights reserved.-0-. The Vikings are an elite team right now, but in 2010 that will change unless they not only fill in holes but upgrade their defense.