Accept The Challenge

The Accept The Challenge Mission is to respond to our nation's number #1 health risk, "childhood obesity," by empowering youth, with accurate nutrition and exercise knowledge, and teaching them how to apply this knowledge to socially change the way they choose food and exercise to improve their health and change their lives. Our Goal is to ensure that all children can be exposed to accurate nutrition and exercise knowledge to improve their health.

Accept the Challenge (ATC) was established in 1995 as an Arizona based non-profit to improve health to prevent childhood obesity and its secondary diseases for underprivileged children and their families. Our signature program, Operation Tone-Up® is nationally recognized as a proven and evidence-based program to prevent the development of childhood obesity and its secondary diseases. (We have served over 1 million children since our inception.)

We provide a variety of nutrition and exercise programs to schools and families, along with teacher training and nutrition counseling. Our programs include pre/post-test measurements to assess improvement. We also do a thorough statistical analysis of the data collected to accurately understand the impact that our programs are having.

In 2012, we were proud to receive a patent (Patent # US 8,267,694 B1) for our nutrition and exercise program, Operation Tone-Up, an accomplishment that no other health initiative has been able to accomplish to date. Operation Tone-Up was identified by U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, as a best practice based upon implementation with 10,000 students in the Chicago Public Schools district, (Please see NBC interview with Duncan at (www.atchallenge.org).

Last year, the Arizona Health & Physical Education (AZPHE) recognized Operation Tone-Up as a BEST PRACTICE program for improving students Health, Attendance and Academics. In addition, the CA Department of Education published a national article detailing the effectiveness of Operation Tone-Up in the areas of childhood obesity prevention and improving test scores and attendance.

Empirical Research Studies over the past 12 years, have consistently concluded that Operation Tone-Up is effective in the prevention of childhood obesity within our target market (children ages 9-12, grades 3-6). Results from the studies showed major improvements in students' nutritional knowledge, (range of +84% to +153%) strength & endurance, (+67% to +153%) and lowering blood pressure (-6% to -10%) and resting heart rate (-11%). Our results are consistently at the 0.001 (99.8%) level of confidence, an achievement that no other health initiative has been able to accomplish.

Currently, we are in the process of expanding the reach of Operation Tone-Up to all children and families throughout Arizona. The program is available in book form, DVD and/or by license, which can be accessed by computer, tablet and/or mobile device, making it easy to interact with, to keep students and families fully engaged throughout the day. The essential elements consist of: Instructional Videos, Pre/Post-Testing of Nutrition Knowledge, Strength Endurance and Heart Health (blood pressure & resting heart rate) for accurate comparative results, an Interactive Journal to track/record progress, Interactive Coaching Buddies triggered by daily exercise, a Nutrient Calculator to track daily nutrient content of the foods eaten (printable reports) and Separate Teacher/Parent Portal with Teaching Aids.

Testimonials

"I believe in Operation Tone-Up and the life changing impact this program has on children. It not only gives students the tools to work-out utilizing all four components of fitness, but also the knowledge to correctly fuel their bodies. My students are now making better choices regarding the food they are putting into their bodies which has a long-term impact on society. I thank you again for allowing me to help my students improve their overall fitness!" Donna Moore, Physical Education Specialist - Payson Unified School District.