AMERICAN COUNCIL FOR FITNESS AND NUTRITION TO PRESENT IDEAS FOR BALANCED SOLUTIONS TO OBESITY AT HHS CONFERENCE

Dr. Susan Finn, Council Chair, to Address the Obesity Epidemic on Behalf of the
Food, Beverage and Consumer Products Industry

Washington, D.C., April 15, 2003 - Susan Finn, Ph.D., RD, chair of the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition (ACFN), will join other leading nutrition and fitness experts to address America’s obesity epidemic, at the HHS Steps to a HealthierUS: Putting Prevention First conference in Baltimore on April 15 and 16.

“There is a consensus building that balanced, effective programs built on science-based solutions can aid Americans in their quest for weight control,” said Dr. Finn. “The industry is committed to helping find the answers.  We are responding to consumer needs, and we are dedicated to promoting policies and programs that will work.”

Dr. Finn, former president of the American Dietetic Association, will present ACFN’s perspective on effective solutions: constructive, balanced policies and science- and behavior-based policies and programs for America’s weight problem.  Specifically, ACFN supports effective nutrition education for children, parents and adults; advocates physical activity in schools and communities; and supports funding for research on achieving lasting behavioral change.  Dr. Finn will speak on the April 15 afternoon panel, “Addressing the Obesity Epidemic,” with representatives from Stanford University School of Medicine, Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center, and the Trevose Behavior Modification Program.

The American Council for Fitness and Nutrition is a non-profit organization established to promote a healthy balance between fitness and nutrition, and to deliver information about balance and lifestyle choices based on the best available science.  ACFN represents a cross-section of food, beverage and consumer products companies, not-for-profit organizations and trade associations dedicated to improve the health of all Americans. 

For more information about ACFN contact Sarra J. Schaab at 202-336-7965 or log on to www.acfn.org.

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.