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Efforts for Seniors, Kids Take Center Stage in Albuquerque
The City of Albuquerque’s Senior Sports and Fitness program, which was highlighted at a local ACFN TRIUMPH event on Sept. 27, offers senior citizens physical education and recreation activities including cross-country and downhill skiing, coupled with nutrition education. Program manager Karen Baker told the audience of local fitness and nutrition professionals and government officials that the program “even organizes a snowball-throwing contest – anything fun and effective to get our clientele moving.” The program serves more than 14,000 senior citizens in the Albuquerque area, and the number of participants increases annually. It was just one of a number of innovative local government, non profit and private-sector efforts highlighted at ACFN’s sixth TRIUMPH event this year. Representing the New Mexico Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Health at the event, former NFL wide receiver Preston Dennard stressed the importance of partnerships and collaboration to make the state’s citizens healthier. “Beating the obesity trend requires every segment of society to work together to change our culture – to reorient our behaviors in such a way that fitness is a priority,” he said.
His comments were echoed by Phil Haberstro, executive director of the National Association for Health and Fitness, a co-sponsor for the event. “There is no magic bullet to address the complex health challenge facing our nation. But we must work together – public sectors, private sector and nonprofit sector – to develop comprehensive solutions to enable people to enjoy wellness across all stages of their lives. The programs represented here today are indicative of ones in our nation that are working to do just that.” The manager of a local General Mills plant, Keith Pullman, highlighted his company’s commitment to helping its employees stay fit, noting examples of those programs in action at his facility. “Employees are really starting to see a difference in themselves and their performances. From simple stretching exercises to running marathons, more people getting motivated and involved, ” he said. The event specifically highlighted local programs like the Boys and Girls Club of Albuquerque and Rio Rancho’s Fitness Authority, which are helping youth learn how to eat right and get moving. Evalyn Williams told the audience how the program enables children to set their own personal fitness goals and learn how to make smart food choices through hands-on experience working with local supermarket sponsors. “The children are able to go home and share this information with their families. This way we are not only educating the children, but the family as well,” she said. Event participants included representatives from local government offices including the New Mexico Department of Health, City of Albuquerque, Governor’s Council, as well as the local staff of U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman. The event was highlighted on the local KOB-TV, the local NBC affiliate, and in the Albuquerque Journal. ACFN Chair Susan Finn, Ph.D., R.D., L.D., F.A.D.A., who moderated a panel discussion, noted how many of the programs highlighted throughout the TRIUMPH series are challenged by and seeking new ways to quantify the successes they are achieving. She also challenged the program leaders to incorporate both physical activity and nutrition into helping people live healthier lives. The next TRIUMPH event is scheduled for Nov. 16 in Oklahoma City. |
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