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ACFN AWARDS "HEALTHY HORIZONS" COMMITMENT TO FITNESS, NUTRITION

Washington, D.C., November 17, 2003 - The American Council for Fitness and Nutrition (ACFN) today recognized "Healthy Horizons," a community program based in Owensboro, Ky, that aims to reduce obesity by engaging all members of the community. ACFN Advisory Board Liaison Alison Kretser, MS, RD, presented the award to the "Healthy Horizons" Lifestyle Summit Steering Committee, and applauded community’s critical efforts to address the obesity epidemic in a comprehensive manner.

"Healthy Horizons is a prime example of how communities can work together to achieve healthier lifestyles sensibly and effectively," said Kretser. "By highlighting Owensboro’s commitment to improving the health in their community, we hope to encourage more communities to launch similar programs that will help to arrest and reverse obesity in America."

"The health statistics for all Owensboro residents have been alarming in past years, and we wanted to put an end to the downward spiral," said Debby Neel, a Steering Committee member and vice president of the Owensboro Medical HealthPark. “Being recognized by ACFN has only validated our efforts, and it has given us more energy to take our health initiatives to the next level.”

The Lifestyle Summit engaged all segments of the community, including student, church groups, employers and seniors. Its three goals focus on smoking cessation, increasing physical activity and improving nutrition. Additionally, the role in the community of “Healthy Horizons” is important, its mission includes:
  • Educating the public about the need for community health improvement;
  • Exploring innovative health programs that work and increasing awareness of them;
  • Joining all the segments of the community together to work for common health goals; and,
  • Maintaining momentum for improvement in healthy community efforts.

The Steering Committee also released its healthy lifestyle “road map,” the result of the “Lifestyle Summit for a Healthier US” hosted in September by “Healthy Horizons.” Participants in the summit recommended several actions to meet Owensboro’s health goals that include forming a youth obesity task force, improving personal nutrition and fitness habits, providing nutritious food choices at community events and increasing access to fitness centers.

“If we’re going to find the right solutions for obesity, it’s going to require a comprehensive, long-term commitment, and Owensboro is on the right track,” Kretser concluded.

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.