Health and Fitness Philly and Baltimore Style
 Every week in communities across Philadelphia where obesity and cardiovascular disease run high, people can go to health centers, churches, schools and parking lots to learn cooking tips, sample great tasting healthy cuisine or try African dance. These are a few of the reasons the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition (ACFN) chose Philly as the site of the third in a series of eight panel discussions called TRIUMPH (Trends, Resources and Inspiration for Understanding and Maintaining Physical Health) it‘s holding across the country.

The Philadelphia event drew close to 100 local community leaders and professionals from health, nutrition, fitness and wellness organizations.

Mayor John F. Street gave welcoming remarks and emphasized the city’s commitment to community fitness. “I am just so grateful that we have, in our city, a commitment to health. We have a health commissioner and health czar; and we have the kind of programs that really lend themselves to getting our city in a much better place in the area of fitness.” Health Commissioner John Domzalski was also in attendance.

Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street emphasizes to the audience the importance of a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

Bruce Artman (left) and Dr. Ross Andersen (right) attentively listen as Bj Shaneman focuses on strategies in getting youth involved in nutrition education and physical fitness.

ACFN Chair Susan Finn moderated the panel discussion, which included Judy Dodd, a community-based dietitian from the University of Pittsburgh; Beth Trapani, communications director for Pennsylvania Advocates for Nutrition and Activity; Pat Harper, coordinator of nutrition weight loss studies at the University of Pittsburgh; Heather McDanel, director of STUDENTS RUN Philly Style; Kathleen Schulz, manager of health programs for Campbell Soup Company; and Ben Schaffer, chairman of the New Jersey Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.

 

“We are committed to health and fitness and we’re committed to the people of this city. I just believe that each and every one of us, especially in cities, have an obligation to point people in the right direction.”

Mayor John F. Street

“You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight. Small changes can make that significant change down the road. We’re always helping people just make small, attainable steps.”

Melissa Johnson, Executive Director, President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports

Just four days after the Philadelphia event, TRIUMPH marched on to Baltimore, Md., where Kate Coler, deputy undersecretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, USDA, was the keynote speaker. Coler discussed the new food guidelines and pyramid recently issued by the USDA. “We touch the lives of one in five Americans, so we see our programs as a great tool to try to motivate people to move to a healthier lifestyle.”
  Felicia Stoler, NJ Gov. Council on Physical Fitness & Sports/NJ Deitetic Association gets moving in Philadelphia.

Brenda Loube, Corporate Fitness Works, demonstrates how activity shapes a healthy furture for everyone.

ACFN Advisory Board member Lisa Katic moderated the discussion that also included Melissa Johnson, executive director of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Johnson highlighted all of the different local and federal resources available to people and communities who are interested in living healthier lifestyles.

Other panel members included Ross Andersen, an associate professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; Brenda Loube, president and co-founder of Corporate Fitness Works; Bruce Artman, a technical director for McCormick Flavor Group; and Barbarajean (Bj) Robinson-Shaneman, the health and life skills coordinator for the Boys and Girls Club of Central Maryland.
Self-Regulation and Children’s Advertising
The food and beverage industry proposed the strengthening of self-regulation of advertising to children, underscoring the opportunity to use marketing to promote healthy eating and active lifestyles. Proposals included growing the staff of the industry-funded Children’s Advertising Review Unit and enabling consumers to file complaints to that organization directly. The announcement was made leading up to the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Health and Human Services’ “Perspectives on Marketing, Self-Regulation, and Childhood Obesity” workshop July 14 and 15.

New ACFN Web Site
Check out the newly redesigned ACFN Web site at www.acfn.org, where you can find information about upcoming ACFN events, the TRIUMPH tour and fitness and nutrition resources for your community. In the fall, check for video and photos from all of our TRIUMPH events.

ACFN Endorses IMPACT
IMPACT Legislation – ACFN has endorsed the Improved Nutrition and Physical Activity Act of 2005 (IMPACT), recently introduced by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., and several other members of the Senate. The bill would fund new public awareness efforts on nutrition and exercise.

E-News to Use
This month’s edition of the American Journal for Clinical Nutrition is full of helpful information. Of particular interest is ACFN Chair Susan Finn’s article we told you about in our last issue, “Now and Again: The food and beverage industry demonstrates its commitment to a healthy America.”

Also included in this edition is Advisory Board member George Blackburn’s and W. Allan Walker’s article entitled “Science-Based Solutions to Obesity: what are the roles of academia, government, industry and health care?”

PROGRAMS THAT ARE MAKING AN IMPACT
TRIUMPH recognized local programs in both Philadelphia and Baltimore that are making a difference in the fight against obesity.

Philadelphia-area programs making a difference include:

• H.I.P. Kids – YMCA Health Intervention Program. H.I.P. Kids is a 12-week intervention program for children ages eight years and older who are identified at or above the 85th percentile of the BMI for their age group.

• Osteoporosis, Physical Activity, Nutrition and Cardiovascular Project (OPANAC). OPANAC is a general nutrition and chronic disease prevention education program focused on the following health areas: coronary heart disease, stroke and blood pressure, diabetes, overweight and obesity in relation to chronic disease risk and physical activity.

• Worksite Wellness. The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey is taking a proactive approach to wellness in the workplace by supporting an 18-month pilot program focused on employee health.

Baltimore programs making a difference include:

• Jump Rope, Eat Smart – JumpSmart. JumpSmart is a statewide program in 25 after-school programs in Baltimore, combining interactive nutrition and physical activity. Students learn jump rope skills and about healthy eating, all while having fun. More than 850 Baltimore children have participated.

• Eating Together in Baltimore (ETIB). is a federally funded meals program that provides seniors an opportunity to socialize while enjoying a nutritious meal. A registered dietitian regularly offers free nutrition education and counseling as part of the program.

• Church/Community Health Awareness & Monitoring Program. C.H.A.M.P. is a community-based health education and prevention program focusing on cardiovascular disease risk factors. Its goal is to educate community members so that they can assist and motivate each other toward healthier lifestyles.