GRASSROOTS HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS MAKE AN IMPACT
New ACFN Report Examines Common Traits Among Successful Programs
Washington, DC – The American Council for Fitness and Nutrition (ACFN) today announced it has identified six key characteristics among grassroots health and wellness programs that are creating positive change in communities nationwide. Those characteristics are examined in a report released by ACFN today on its 2005 TRIUMPH (Trends, Resources and Inspiration for Understanding and Maintaining Physical Health) series, during which ACFN highlighted the successes of such programs across the country.
Entitled Successful Grassroots Health and Wellness Programs: Exploring Common Traits, the report provides guidance for local leaders who aspire to launch, endorse or enhance health and wellness initiatives in their communities, and for parents who are considering involving their children and families.
“ACFN’s goal is to highlight grassroots efforts to build a healthier America,” said ACFN chair Susan Finn, Ph.D., R.D., L.D., F.A.D.A. “Through our TRIUMPH series, we found important shared characteristics among local programs that are taking the concept of sustainable solutions to obesity, turning it into action and generating real results. We are committed to sharing knowledge, so we captured those characteristics in this report to serve as a resource and guide for others.”
The six highlighted characteristics are:
- In programs serving at-risk populations, cultural relevance matters.
- When it comes to programs serving children, making it fun makes all the difference.
- When a healthier citizenry is a priority for government, positive change ensues.
- In advocating for health and wellness across an entire community, a champion for the cause can make all the difference.
- While the focus is increasingly on children, programs exist serving all ages.
- The workplace is a great place to lay the groundwork for success.
The report also contains specific recommendations to community leaders interested in enhancing or launching a health and wellness initiative, and critical questions for parents to ask when considering involving their children.
ACFN hosted TRIUMPH events in Little Rock, AR (March 15); Austin, TX (May 4); Philadelphia, PA (June 24); Baltimore, MD (June 28); Chicago, IL (August 2); Albuquerque, NM (Sept. 27); and Oklahoma City, OK (Nov. 16). Each event consisted of a facilitated panel discussion by local nutrition and fitness experts, government officials and large local employers; presentations by the leaders of innovative local programs; and a question and answer session. The events were co-sponsored by the National Association for Health and Fitness.
Throughout 2006, ACFN will continue to work with the local programs ACFN engaged through TRIUMPH and follow their ongoing activities and successes. In addition, the lessons from TRIUMPH are the basis for two primary focus areas for ACFN in 2006: an initiative in partnership with the American Dietetic Association to help African-American and Hispanic children, and an initiative with appropriate federal government agencies to provide local health and wellness programs with guidance on the measurement of outcomes. ACFN also is building a broad-based initiative for 2007 and beyond to build healthier schools.
“ACFN believes all sectors must be involved in creating a healthier America, including our founder – the food and beverage industry – along with other private employers, government, nonprofits and charitable organizations, schools and families themselves,” said Dr. Finn. “The grassroots programs discussed in these pages illustrate what can happen in a community when all stakeholders work together toward sustainable change.”
CONTACT
Christine Tucci
202-715-1517
christine@acfn.org
Jennifer O’Shea
202-715-1525
jennifer.o'shea@dittus.com
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