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ACFN Announces
Initiative on Childhood Obesity in At-Risk Populations ACFN has announced a new initiative focusing on African-American and Hispanic children, populations shown to be particular risk of obesity. The new initiative will be the focus of the partnership between ACFN and the American Dietetic Association (ADA) Foundation beginning in 2006. The initiative will consist of a detailed analysis of existing data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other sources, to assess the need and greatest opportunities for impact among African-American and Hispanic children. Working with the ADA, ACFN will develop two separate authoritative guides for African-American and Hispanic community leaders on how to build and expand programs designed to help families adopt and maintain healthier lifestyles. Sharon Cox, M.S., R.D., C.D.E., a member of the ACFN Advisory Board member; the American Dietetic Association (ADA); and the National Organization of Blacks in Dietetics and Nutrition (NOBIDAN), a networking group affiliated with the ADA, said, “Cultural relevance is a critical new frontier in the battle against obesity. Today’s announcement signals the commitment of ACFN members, its advisory board and supporters to help dietitians, physical activity experts and other local leaders nationwide make a meaningful impact on obesity trend lines among the children who need it most.”
Cecilia Pozo Fileti, M.S., R.D., F.A.D.A., another member of the ACFN Advisory Board, ADA, and head of Latinos and Hispanics in Dietetics and Nutrition (LAHIDAN), a networking group affiliated with the ADA, said, “ACFN and ADA are ideal partners to address a need that goes beyond putting great nutrition and physical activity resources into the hands of community leaders. We intend to show how to achieve collaboration in communities – the key to getting more families and children involved.” ACFN and the ADA will recruit other partners among respected organizations in the African- American and Hispanic communities and invite them to participate in both the development and dissemination of the guides. ACFN also is reaching out to organizations that have developed or are planning to develop resources for battling obesity among children in at-risk populations. As part of this effort, ACFN pledged a gift of $25,000 to the ADA Foundation. ACFN Chair Susan Finn, Ph.D., R.D., L.D., F.A.D.A., said, “Registered dietitians work every day with people undertaking the daunting task of changing their lifestyle to invest in the long-term health of themselves, and more importantly, their children. The ADA brings credibility and expertise to this initiative, as well as the ability to turn the guidance we produce into action through its vast network of members. We are grateful to embark together on this new endeavor.” ACFN officially launched the initiative and partnership on Oct. 24 at the ADA Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (FNCE). During the event, ACFN sponsored a workshop on cultural competency by NOBIDAN and a business meeting of LAHIDAN. ACFN also distributed toolkits for African-American community leaders, co-sponsored by NOBIDAN, and Hispanic community leaders, co-sponsored by LAHIDAN. Those toolkits will serve as the foundation for the more detailed guides ACFN and ADA will develop and disseminate in this joint initiative. The current toolkits are available for download at http://www.acfn.org/b1/. |
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