ACFN RECOGNIZES ALBUQUERQUE OBESITY-FIGHTING INITIATIVES

Albuquerque, N.M. - This fall with a new school year underway, many children will not receive classroom instruction on the critical role nutrition and physical activity play in their daily life. This issue is especially important in New Mexico where 58% of adults are overweight or obese, and 22% of low-income children between two and five years of age are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Fortunately, programs like the Boys and Girls Club of Albuquerque’s Fitness Authority help youth learn how to eat right and get moving. Fitness Authority is just one of the Albuquerque-area programs highlighted today by the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition (ACFN), a non-profit coalition that moves toward viable solutions to obesity, at a local event for blazing a trail in community-based efforts to keep people on a healthy track.

“It's never too late to start improving your physical health,” panelist Karen Baker, Senior Sports and Fitness Manager for the City of Albuquerque, told participants. “There are programs throughout our city and state that, regardless of age or ability, will help you take the first step in your journey to lead a healthier lifestyle.”

“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. “The Boys and Girls Club and all the Albuquerque-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.”

The three other programs recognized at the TRIUMPH event:

National Indian Youth Leadership Project
New Mexico Sports and Wellness
Heights YMCA, Vibrant Lives

TRIUMPH panel participants included:

Preston Dennard, Co-chair, Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Health, Former NFL Wide Receiver and Albuquerque Sports Hall of Famer
Karen Baker, Senior Sports and Fitness Manager, City of Albuquerque
Phil Haberstro, Executive Director, National Association for Health and Fitness
Keith Pullman, Plant Manager, General Mills – Albuquerque

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

CONTACT
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.

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.