American Council for Fitness and Nutrition
About Us Resources News Room Blueprints Events Search

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, JULY 24
Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street emphasizes the importance of living a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
Philadelphia panel of fitness and nutrition experts.
Felicia Stoler, N.J. Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports/NJ Dietetic Association, gets moving in Philadelphia.

Ben Schaffer, chairman of Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, energizes the panel.
Beth Trapani of Pennsylvania Advocates for Nutrition and Activity (PANA).
Susan Herr, director of community health initiatives for YMCA Health Intervention Program (H.I.P.), stresses the importance of keeping kids active and eating healthy.

“We are committed to health and fitness, and we’re committed to the people of this city. I just believe that each and every one of us, especially in cities, have an obligation to point people in the right direction,” said Mayor John F. Street of Philadelphia kicking off ACFN’s third TRIUMPH event in 2005.

ACFN Chair Susan Finn moderated the Philadelphia TRIUMPH event that drew close to 100 local community leaders and professionals from health, nutrition, fitness and wellness organizations. A panel of experts discussed the role that both physical activity and good nutrition habits play in the fight against overweight and obesity and answered questions from the audience.

The panel included:

  • Judy Dodd, M.S., R.D., L.D.N., a community-based registered dietitian and a member of the faculty in clinical dietetics in the department of sports medicine and nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh
  • Beth Trapani, communications director for Pennsylvania Advocates for Nutrition and Activity’s (PANA)
  • Pat Harper, M.S., R.D., L.D.N., coordinator of nutrition weight loss studies in the department of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and director of intervention for the Look AHEAD study
  • Heather McDanel, M.P.H., director of STUDENTS RUN Philly Style
  • Kathleen Schulz, M.S., manager for health programs for Campbell Soup Company
  • Ben Schaffer, chairman of the New Jersey Council on Physical Fitness and Sports

ACFN recognized several programs that are making continuous efforts in the fight against obesity. The following individuals shared the work they are doing to help Philadelphians live healthier lifestyles:

  • Jennifer Andia, M.S., M.P.H. from Health Promotion Council Southeastern Pennsylvania, Inc., is the program coordinator for the Osteoporosis, Physical Activity, Nutrition and Cardiovascular Project (OPANAC). OPANAC is a general nutrition and chronic disease prevention education program aimed at the following health areas: coronary heart disease, stroke and blood pressure, diabetes, overweight and obesity in relation to chronic disease risk and physical activity.
  • Susan Herr is the director of community health initiatives for YMCA Health Intervention Program (H.I.P Kids). H.I.P Kids is a 12-week intervention program for children ages eight years and older who are identified at or above the 85th percentile of their BMI for age category. The program is led by a professional in exercise science and a registered dietitian who introduce behavior modifications leading to healthier lifestyles and improved health of the children and their families through nutrition education and physical activity. A fitness evaluation and diet analysis is completed before entry to the program.
  • Rickie Brawer, M.P.H is the associate director of the Office to Advance Population Health at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital a Haddington Community Health Project Collaborative. The mission of the Haddington Community Health Project Collaborative, located in West Philadelphia, is “to generate participation of residents in health promotion efforts in order to enhance environmental/community health and pride.” The collaborative, founded in 1995, has grown to include 45 agencies/institutions (i.e. faith-based, health providers, legislators, schools, senior centers, youth programs, community-based organizations) and 30 block captains/residents.
  • Felicia Stoler, M.S., R.D. works for the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey’s (UMDNJ) Worksite Wellness progmram. UMDNJ is taking a proactive approach to wellness in the workplace. Having healthy employees and supporting employee health is essential to productivity and achieving organizational goals. In January 2005, the graduate programs in clinical nutrition, in collaboration with the department of human resources, began an 18-month pilot program for UMDNJ employees. Key program features include 12 complimentary group sessions comprising three individual sessions, weight management, nutrition education, individually determined nutrition and fitness goals, health screening (cholesterol, glucose, weight, blood pressure, body fat, etc.), wellness information and much more.
  • Beverly Antunes works with the New Jersey Mayors Wellness Campaign (MWC). MWC supports mayors as champions of community health. The goal is to reduce overweight, obesity and associated health risks in New Jersey residents. Through public-private partnerships, the MWC provides structure and resources for healthy community initiatives, and fosters a statewide ethic supportive of health.