FESTIVAL CELEBRATES HEALTHY LIVING

American Council for Fitness and Nutrition Takes to the Streets to Challenge Obesity
Among Hispanics

Washington, D.C., June 17, 2004 - With the help of the National Supermarkets Association (NSA), the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition (ACFN) will host its first “Salud con Sabor” educational festival designed to combat obesity by empowering the Hispanic community to make healthy lifestyle choices. The festival will take place on Saturday, June 19, 2004 from 11:00am-1:00pm at the Corona Food Plaza, 41-25 102nd St., Corona, New York.

“The Latino community has been particularly hard hit by the obesity epidemic,” said Dr. Susan Finn, chair of ACFN. “The American Council for Fitness and Nutrition is collaborating with local leaders to educate and encourage as many citizens as possible regarding the importance of healthy lifestyle choices,” continued Dr. Finn.

The “Salud con Sabor” festival aims to provide members of the Hispanic community with information about ways to address the growing overweight and obesity problem. The event will feature healthy cooking segments and physical activity demonstrations. Additionally, ACFN Chair Dr. Susan Finn and ACFN Advisory Board member Cecilia Pozo Fileti, both widely published health and nutrition experts, will be on hand to provide expert advice.

Luis Corona, Corona Food Plaza owner and NSA member, has joined with ACFN to make sure that messages focusing on the need to achieve a healthy balance between fitness and nutrition reach the community he serves. “As a business owner that serves the residents of Corona, I feel that it’s important to get involved in issues that impact this community.” The NSA is comprised of nearly 150 independent supermarket owners, representing over 400 stores throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Florida.

Latinos are disproportionately affected by overweight and obesity. According to a 2003 survey by the National Center for Statistics and Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 23 percent of Hispanic males and 27.5 percent of Hispanic females are obese.

The statistics for the New York Hispanic community are even more sobering. A 2002 Health Department survey found that 53 percent of New York Hispanics are overweight. Nearly half (43 percent) of New York City’s Hispanic school children are overweight as well, according to a joint 2003 city Health Department and Department of Education study. These obesity rates nearly double those of non-Hispanic white and Asian children.

To view a highlight video of the New York event, please select a format below.

Salud para la Familia - Windows Media Player or QuickTime.

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.