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ACFN RECOGNIZES CHICAGO OBESITY-FIGHTING INITIATIVES

Chicago, Ill. - This summer, children throughout Chicago will have the opportunity to discover their “Common Threads” by using food, physical activity and other arts as a means to discover and celebrate the diversity and differences within us all. Common Threads is one of the Chicago-area programs highlighted today by the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition (ACFN) for blazing a trail in community-based efforts to keep people active and eating right.

Panelists Colleen Lammel-Harmon, Co-Chair of Mayor Daley’s Fitness Council and senior program fitness specialist, told the audience “It's never too late to start improving your physical health. Right here in Illinois, there are various programs out there for every ability and interest, every age group and every size.”

“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 C. Finn, Ph.D., R.D., L.D., F.A.D.A., who moderated the panel co-hosted by ACFN and the National Association for Health and Fitness. “Common Threads and all the Chicago-area programs we highlighted today are indicative of the comprehensive, behavior-focused efforts taking place in communities across the country which are achieving real results in helping people improve their health by staying active and eating smart.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control 59% of Illinois adults are overweight or obese and 30% of low-income children between two and five years of age in Illinois are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. [CDC BRFSS, 1990, 2002]

The other four programs recognized at the TRIUMPH event:

  • Girls on the Run-Chicago. Girls on the Run-Chicago (GOTR) uses the power of running to change the way girls see themselves and their opportunities.
  • Uniquely ME!: Discovering the Real You. Girl Scouts of Chicago’s uniquely ME!: Discovering the Real You initiative’s goal is to get 500 girls active, healthy and informed about healthy living and self-esteem.
  • Fit Matters – LaRabida Children’s Hospital. La Rabida Children’s Hospital has developed “Fit Matters” an intensive weight-control program that teaches a family how to modify their home environments, activity patterns, as well as to improve goal setting and stress management skills. The program includes individual, group, family, outpatient and inpatient treatment.
  • Chicago Fire Department (CFD) Wellness Committee. The Chicago Fire Department (CFD) Wellness Committee is a volunteer committee comprised of firefighters and paramedics charged with increasing health and fitness levels and overall wellness of department members.

TRIUMPH panel participants included:

  • Rebecca S. Reeves, Dr.P.H., R.D., president, American Dietetic Association
  • Matt M. Longjohn, M.D., M.P.H., executive director, Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children (CLOCC)
  • Phil Haberstro, executive director, National Association for Health and Fitness (NAHF)
  • Lynne Galia, senior manager, Global Community Involvement, Kraft Foods

The panel was the fifth in an ACFN series called TRIUMPH – Trends, Resources and Inspiration for Understanding and Maintaining Physical Health.

 

CONTACT
Laura Sheehan
202-715-1526
laura@acfn.org

Christine Tucci
202-715-1517
christine@acfn.org


The American Council for Fitness and Nutrition (ACFN) 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 improving the health of all Americans.