ACFN RECOGNIZES LOCAL OBESITY-FIGHTING INITIATIVES

Baltimore, MD– This summer, children at HUD housing complexes across Baltimore will have the opportunity to learn jump-rope routines from trained volunteer coaches as part of a program called “JumpSmart” (Jump Rope, Eat Smart).  It was one of four Baltimore-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 active and eating right.  The panel was the fourth in an ACFN series called TRIUMPH – Trends, Resources and Inspiration for Understanding and Maintaining Physical Health.

 

 “ACFN is shining a light on the creative work taking place in cities across the nation to stem the tide on obesity,” said ACFN Advisory Board Member Lisa Katic, R.D., who moderated the panel co-hosted by ACFN and the National Association for Health and Fitness. “JumpSmart and all the Baltimore-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 eating smart.” 

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control, six percent of total medical expenses in Maryland go to obesity-related causes, totaling more than $1.5 billion.

 

The other three programs recognized were:

 

·         The Eating Together Program, a federally funded initiative that offers nutritious meals as well as instruction on meal preparation at local senior centers and residences.

·         C.H.A.M.P. (Church/Community Health Awareness & Monitoring Program), a community-based health education program focused on cardiovascular disease prevention, such as a training program for church cooks on preparing heart-healthy meals for church events.

·         Be Healthy, Be You, a program of the University of Maryland Statewide Health Network and Eating Together Baltimore, which conducts education on diet, health maintenance and physical activity at senior centers, churches and public housing complexes.

The keynote speaker for the TRIUMPH panel discussion was Kate A. Coler, deputy undersecretary for food, nutrition and consumer services at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  “Our goal is to help Americans live longer, healthier, better lives.  The USDA’s new MyPyramid symbol is meant to encourage consumers to make smart food choices in every food group, and to be active every day,” she said.

 

TRIUMPH panel participants included:

 

·         Barbarajean (Bj) Shaneman, L.P.N., Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Maryland

·         Melissa Johnson, M.S. – executive director of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports in Washington, DC

·         Ross Andersen, Ph.D. – associate professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine

·         Brenda Loube, M.S., president and cofounder of Corporate Fitness Works, Inc., which meets the health and fitness needs of business and retirement communities nationwide, and chairperson of the Maryland Advisory Council on Physical Fitness

 

The panel was held at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore.

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.