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ACFN RECOGNIZES LOCAL OBESITY-FIGHTING INITIATIVES

June 24, 2005, Philadelphia, Pa.– Every week, members of communities across Philadelphia, where obesity and cardiovascular disease run high, can go to health centers, churches, schools and parking lots to learn cooking tips, sample great tasting healthy cuisine, or try African dance.  It’s all part of a local effort called “OPANAC,” which was one of five Philadelphia-area programs recognized during a panel discussion this morning by the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition (ACFN) for blazing a trail in community-based efforts to keep people healthy.  The panel was the third in an ACFN series called TRIUMPH – Trends, Resources and Inspiration for Understanding and Maintaining Physical Health.

"There are things that cities can do to help their citizens live healthier lives,” Mayor John F. Street said.  “We can create an environment where people are encouraged to exercise, drink water and moderate their eating. Philadelphia is becoming a better city, our citizens feel better and are in a healthier environment. A healthier city ultimately leads to a reduction in health care costs and improves the quality of life for everyone. I'm grateful to ACFN for bringing attention to practical community-based efforts and discussing solutions to get people more involved and get healthier." According to the Centers for Disease Control, 6.2 percent of total medical expenses in Pennsylvania go to obesity-related causes.  Men’s Fitness magazine recently ranked Philadelphia number two on its list of “America’s Fattest Cities.”

 “ACFN is shining a light on the creative work taking place in cities across the nation to stem the tide on obesity,” said ACFN Chair Susan Finn, Ph.D., R.D., L.D., F.A.D.A., in town to moderate the panel, which ACFN co-hosted with the National Association for Health and Fitness. “OPANAC and all the Philadelphia-area programs we highlighted today are indicative of the comprehensive, behavior-focused efforts taking place in communities across the country to help people improve their health by staying active and being mindful of nutrition.”  OPANAC is an acronym that stands for the Osteoporosis, Physical Activity, Nutrition and Cardiovascular Project. 

The other four programs recognized were:

·         H.I.P. Kids, a 12-week program of the local YMCA in which exercise professionals and registered dieticians teach the basics of nutrition and staying active to children ages eight and older who are at or above 85 percent body mass index for their age.

·         Haddington Community Health Project Collaborative, a project in West Philadelphia that involves residents in activities that improve their health and their communities, including urban gardening, nutrition education and breaking down barriers to physical activity in the “built environment.”

·         Worksite Wellness, an 18-month pilot program at the University of Medicine and Dentistry New Jersey to help employees with weight management, health screening and determining fitness and nutrition goals.

·         New Jersey Mayors Wellness Campaign, a network of public-private partnerships in communities across the state to improve citizen health, reduce obesity-related healthcare costs and make the state a national leader in community-based health interventions.

Participants in the TRIUMPH panel discussion included:

·          Judy Dodd, M.S., R.D., L.D.N. – a community-based registered dietitian and former head of the American Dietetic Association

·          Beth Trapani - communications director, Pennsylvania Advocates for Nutrition and Activity (PANA)

·          Pat Harper, M.S., R.D., L.D.N. - coordinator of Weight Loss Intervention Studies; Department of Medicine; University of Pittsburgh

·          Heather McDanel, M.P.H. - director, STUDENTS RUN Philly Style, National Nursing Centers Consortium

·          Kathleen Schulz, M.S. - manager, Health and Wellness Programs, Campbell Soup Company

·          Ben Schaffer – chairman of the New Jersey Council on Fitness and Nutrition

The panel was held at the Park Hyatt at the Bellevue in downtown Philadelphia.

 

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.

ACFN TRIUMPH events are scheduled in eight states across the United States in 2005:

  • Arkansas (Little Rock);
  • Texas (Austin);
  • Maryland (Baltimore);
  • Pennsylvania (Philadelphia);
  • Illinois (Chicago);
  • Oklahoma (Oklahoma City);
  • Arizona (Phoenix); and
  • New Mexico (Albuquerque).

ABOUT THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR HEALTH AND FITNESS:
The National Association for Health and Fitness (NAHF) is a non-profit organization that exists to improve the quality of life for individuals in the United States through the promotion of physical fitness, sports and healthy lifestyles and by the fostering and supporting of Governors’ and State Councils on physical fitness and sports in every state and U.S. territory. For more information, please visit www.physicalfitness.org.