ACFN CALLS ON AMERICANS TO PUT ON THEIR WALKING SHOES

Washington, D.C., March 30, 2004 - Friday, April 2, marks the second annual National Walk to Work Day, which encourages American to find simple ways to incorporate regular physical activity into their daily lives.

"Initiatives like National Walk to Work Day get Americans moving and raise awareness about the importance of being physically active each day," said ACFN Chair Susan Finn, Ph.D., R.D. "More importantly, Walk to Work Day reminds us all that there are easy and inexpensive ways to fit 30 minutes of moderate exercise into our daily schedules."

Even if you cannot walk to work, you can still participate in Walk to Work Day in other ways, like:

• Bypassing the elevator and take the stairs at work,
• Parking your car in a garage a few blocks from your office building, or
• Enjoying a stroll with a colleague during your lunch break.

"There is no quick fix for obesity, but making small lifestyle changes – whether it is walking to work or reducing daily caloric intake – will help Americans lead healthier lives," Finn concluded.

Endorsed by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Walk to Work Day is sponsored by America On the Move™, the American Podiatric Medical Association, and Prevention magazine.

Find more activity and nutrition tips online at www.acfn.org or www.smallstep.gov.

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.