AMERICA ON THE MOVE™ – A BALANCED APPROACH FOR A HEALTHIER U.S.

Washington, D.C., March 4, 2004 - As America on the Move expands its program into 12 states, the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition (ACFN) will champion the program’s balanced approach to healthy lifestyles. ACFN is a strong proponent of America on the Move and is encouraged to see that the program is headed to even more local communities where it can make a difference.

"America on the Move advocates a smart, practical approach to long-term weight loss and improved health," said ACFN Chair Susan Finn, Ph.D., R.D. "We at ACFN believe that solving the obesity problem in this country is about maintaining a healthy lifestyle and achieving proper energy balance between calories consumed and calories burned. America on the Move embodies this strategy by promoting healthy eating and increased physical activity through simple, everyday actions."

Two ACFN board members, Dr. Jim Hill of the University of Colorado and Dr. Maureen Storey of Virginia Tech, are heavily involved with America on the Move. Dr. Hill is the key developer of the successful program Colorado on the Move program launched in 2001 and now serves as chairman of the national program. Dr. Storey has led the effort to enlist Virginia as an America on the Move affiliate state.

"As our country’s leaders consider ways to combat obesity in America, their focus should be on developing efforts like America on the Move that realistically address the needs of American families and accommodate individual community needs," added Finn.

CONTACT
Laura Sheehan
202.715.1526
laura@acfn.org

Christine Tucci
202.715.1517
christine@acfn.org

ABOUT THE AMERICAN COUNCIL FOR FITNESS AND NUTRITION: The American Council for Fitness and Nutrition (ACFN) is a non-profit organization that brings together food and beverage companies, associations, and health and nutrition advocates to work toward viable long-term solutions to the nation's obesity epidemic. ACFN represents a diverse group of organizations and is guided by an advisory board of experts in the fields of nutrition, physical activity and behavior change. ACFN works with partners to raise awareness of programs and policies that seek to improve health and wellness in America. For more information, please visit www.acfn.org.