Disney Channels To Launch Kids Health & Fitness Campaign With Toon Characters

Disney Channels Worldwide is set to launch interstitial programming designed to help kids lead healthy lives. Starting on Friday, animated shorts featuring characters from such series as The Lion Guard, Miles from Tomorrowland and Star Wars Rebels will start airing in rotation on Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior.

Created by animators including James Curran (Star Wars Rebels, Gravity Falls) and David Calcano (The Adventures of Papchu and Dr. Kapatoo), the shorts are designed to inspire, inform and motivate kids’ nutritious food choices and physical activities as part of Disney’s companywide Healthy Living Commitment.

Paige Peterson of corporate sib ABC’s Dancing with the Stars consulted on “Teke Ruka Teleza (Kick, Jump, Slide),” Disney Junior’s workout video for kids ages 2-7 that premieres September 23. Be Your Best with Miles, premiering September 24, encourages young kids to make smart choices like the title kid in Miles from Tomorrowland to sustain their energy throughout the day. Training with the Guard, a shortform series featuring simple yoga-inspired poses featuring characters from The Lion Guard, premieres October 3.

“We have an ongoing dialogue with parents who tell us they appreciate our efforts to model healthy lifestyle choices,” said Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer of Disney Channels Worldwide. “One of the ways we do that is by ensuring healthier standards for food products seen within our kids’ television, radio and digital programming and by using our platforms to inspire kids to eat nutritious foods and be active.”

The company noted that the messages could reach 500 million households on 116 channels worldwide. Watch Disney XD’s “Improve Your Selfie” short above.