AMERICAN COUNCIL FOR FITNESS AND NUTRITION TO FOCUS ON COMBATING OBESITY IN SCHOOLS

The American Council for Fitness and Nutrition (ACFN), founded by the food and beverage industry in 2003, has been reorganized with a 501(c)(3) foundation, the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition Foundation. This new structure allows ACFN to reach a wider audience in its continued work toward viable long-term solutions to the nation's obesity epidemic, particularly childhood obesity.

This fall, the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition Foundation will conduct a pilot program in schools in the greater Kansas City metro area in partnership with PE4Life and the American Dietetic Association Foundation (ADAF). The Kansas City Healthy Schools Pilot will implement a cross discipline “energy balance” approach – focusing on both on energy intake and energy expenditure.

“We are building a model that puts physical education teachers and nutrition professionals side by side in the schools to implement strategies to motivate students to be more active and to eat a more balanced and nutritious diet.” said ACFN Foundation CEO, Susan Finn, PhD, R.D., L.D., F.A.D.A. “The fight against the obesity epidemic requires many allies and collaborations, and we are excited to have joined forces with the ADAF and PE4life.”

A six-member expert task force has been appointed to support the creation of the nutrition component for the Kansas City Healthy Schools Pilot.

“We are thrilled to be working with ACFN and PE4Life on this new project,” said Neva Cochran, M.S., R.D., Chair, American Dietetic Association Foundation. “Through our Healthy Weight for Kids Initiative, ADAF has been working to address childhood obesity utilizing the expertise of registered dietitians. This pilot has opened the door to continue these efforts and expand the work of our ADA members in schools. Nutrition is a key part of a healthy lifestyle so we are very excited to have a new opportunity to deliver healthy eating messages to children and teens in our pilot schools in Kansas City this fall.”

“We are excited about the opportunity to combine nutrition and physical activity in innovative ways,” said Anne Flannery, President and CEO of PE4life. “Our programs have achieved dramatic improvements in fitness, while reducing disciplinary incidents and enhancing academic performance. Now, we have terrific partners with ACFN and the ADAF to deliver the nutrition expertise needed for a comprehensive school wellness program.”

The lessons learned from the Kansas City Healthy Schools Pilot will allow the ACFN Foundation and its partners to create a blueprint for student health and wellness that could be replicated in schools across America.