TRIUMPH in Little Rock
On March 15, 2005, the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition (ACFN) launched the first in a series of panel discussions called Trends, Resources and Inspiration for Understanding and Maintaining Physical Health (TRIUMPH) in Little Rock, Ark. The event drew more than 100 professionals from area nutrition, fitness, health and wellness organizations and businesses. Arkansas was chosen as the kick-off state because Gov. Mike Huckabee began a journey over a year and a half ago that resulted in his losing more than 120 pounds.

Joe Quinn, director of policy, Office of the Governor, was the keynote speaker, stating, “We’ve been down a remarkable road the past year in Arkansas. But the conversation we are not having enough of is, ‘What about personal responsibility?’ The Governor has set an excellent example.”

Quinn was joined in headlining the panel discussion by Dr. Fay Boozman, director of the Arkansas Department of Health, who died tragically in an accident within days of the Little Rock event. Quinn and Boozman offered insight on the role physical activity plays in ensuring a healthy lifestyle, repeating the message that diet alone is not the answer. ACFN Chair Susan Finn, Ph.D., R.D., L.D., F.A.D., moderated the event.

Of particular interest were local programs highlighted during the panel discussion, which showcased the great strides Arkansas is making in its efforts to help people overcome obesity.

For instance, the Healthy Arkansas Initiative is a comprehensive effort by the state to determine how and which behavioral changes can lead to healthier citizens. The program’s current goal is to reduce childhood obesity to 5 percent in Arkansas and adult obesity to 15 percent through increasing physical activity in children to 85 percent and brisk physical activity in adults to 30 percent.

Another program highlighted at the event was Blue Cross/Blue Shield’s Arkansas Fitness Challenge, which is designed to get employees moving through an exercise challenge. Likewise, the Arkansas Senior Olympics encourages people over the age of 50 to get fit by competing in events like swimming, tennis and archery. The final program recognized was Girl Scouts of Conifer Council’s “Uniquely Me” days that include a girls’ sports day to show upwards of 900 girls from ages 11 to 19 how to eat healthy and exercise. These local programs clearly illustrated that there are dedicated leaders helping to improve health throughout the state.

Panelists participating in the Little Rock TRIUMPH event were: Phil Haberstro, president, National Association for Health and Fitness; Jean-Paul Francoeur, chairman, Arkansas Governor’s Council on Fitness; Ronni Chernoff, Ph.D., R.D., F.A.D.A., director, Arkansas Geriatric Education Center; Margaret L. Bogle, Ph.D., R.D., F.A.D.A., executive director, USDA Delta Nutrition Intervention Research Initiative; and Terri Conder-Johnson, chair, 2005 Little Rockers Kids’ Marathon.

Jean-Paul Francoeur, Dr. Fay Boozman, and Dr. Susan Finn

Speakers of note included Kimberlydawn Wisdom, Michigan surgeon general, who said: “I invite all Michigan people, businesses and communities to step up to a healthier lifestyle. Working together, we can make lasting changes that improve the quality of life in Michigan.” Wisdom also suggested the need for collaboration across all levels of government, the corporate sector and grassroots groups. To learn more about what the state of Michigan is doing about health, visit michigan.gov/surgeongeneral.

Kate Kraft, Ph.D., senior program officer, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, talked about the importance of building and fostering communities that bolster and encourage activity. Visit activelivingbydesign.org to learn more about this active-living program supported by one of the world’s leading health education organizations.

NAHF concluded the conference with a keynote speech by James O. Hill, Ph.D., on “Strategies to Reverse the Obesity Epidemic.” Dr. Hill focused on the role of the physical environment in promoting energy balance, stating, “We have unintentionally constructed our physical environment to promote overeating and to discourage physical activity. We must consider reversing this in order to achieve a healthy balance.” To learn more about the environment’s role, visit ehp.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2005/7812/7812.html.