LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The UnitedHealthcare IRONKIDS Las Vegas Fun Run raced around the Henderson Pavilion today. UnitedHealthcare mascot “Dr. Health E. Hound” helped kick-off the 1-mile course aimed to help stem the rising tide of childhood obesity through exercise and healthy lifestyles.
UnitedHealthcare is sponsoring 10 IRONKIDS events – nine running races and a triathlon – in seven states. Today’s Fun Run included hundreds of young “triathletes to be”, ages 3 to 15. The company provided complimentary tickets to the race and weekend-long IRONMAN activities to the YMCA, enabling children who often face barriers to good health, to compete in the event.
Children from low-income and low-education households are three-times more likely to suffer from obesity, which is a leading risk factor for diabetes, heart disease and many cancers, according to America’s Health Rankings®, an annual comprehensive assessment of the nation’s health on a state-by-state basis. Nevada ranks 7th in the country with 24.5% of adults estimated to be obese.
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