DEADLINE APPROACHES FOR $60 MILLION PHYSICAL EDUCATION GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

Council for Fitness & Nutrition Urges Communities Nationwide To Apply For PEP Grants

Washington, D.C., April 28, 2003 - Schools and communities have two weeks to apply for the 2003 Carol M. White Physical Education for Progress (PEP) program grants, due May 12, 2003, the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition (ACFN) said today.  The PEP program awards federal grants up to $500,000 for the implementation of a physical education plan in a school.

“Physical activity is essential to a healthy, balanced lifestyle, along with proper nutrition.  The Council wants to make physical education just as important as any other class during the school day,” said Susan Finn, Ph.D., RD, chair of ACFN.  “By applying for PEP grants, schools are supporting the positive programs and policies that can improve the health of children in the long-term.”

ACFN is calling on schools and communities to take a stand against childhood obesity and inactivity by competing for approximately 198 grants administered by the U.S. Department of Education. In 2003, nearly $60 million in funds will be awarded to develop, expand or improve physical education programs in schools or community-based organizations through equipment purchases and staff development.

“PEP grants enable schools and communities to get our children moving again and to counter the sedentary lifestyle plaguing our youth,” added Anne Flannery, an ACFN Advisory Board member and the Executive Director of P.E.4LIFE, a national, non-profit advocacy organization that serves to promote quality, daily physical education programs for America's youth. P.E.4LIFE provides PEP grant recipients with resources, information and training necessary to maximize the opportunities and funding available through this excellent federal program.

“We are not going to solve our nation’s obesity problem unless our kids are more physically active,” continued Dr. Finn.  “In fact, the best way to reduce and prevent childhood overweight and obesity is by educating students about how they can improve their daily fitness and nutrition habits realistically.”

Since 2001, almost 200 schools and community programs have been awarded funding through PEP grants.  In 2002, 171 grants were awarded, although twelve states were not represented in this group of recipients.  These federal grants provide an opportunity for communities to develop effective physical education programs, which would otherwise be impossible to implement.  ACFN believes all communities should be aware of this resource and take full advantage of its possibilities.

The grant application, guidelines and further information can be found online at http://www.pepgrant.info

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.