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National Fitness and Nutrition Organizations to Highlight Health and Wellness Programs in Austin

Posted on: Wednesday, 4 May 2005, 09:00 CDT

WASHINGTON, May 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Council for Fitness and Nutrition (ACFN), in collaboration with the National Association for Health and Fitness (NAHF), today held the second in a series of breakfast panel discussions called TRIUMPH - Trends, Resources and Inspiration for Understanding and Maintaining Physical Health -- in Austin, Tex. TRIUMPH was developed to convene organizations that are empowering people to embrace healthier lifestyles and share information about practical and viable solutions to obesity. This is especially important in Texas, where according to the American Heart Association, 61 percent of Texas adults and 40 percent of Texas children are overweight or obese.

"ACFN is seeking to highlight the progress that has been made across the state of Texas in building awareness about how to achieve and maintain a healthier lifestyle and prevent obesity. This is the goal of the TRIUMPH initiative -- to let people know there are programs that are making a positive impact on health and wellness," said ACFN Chair Susan Finn, Ph.D., R.D., L.D., F.A.D.A., who moderated the event. "Through collaboration, we learn more about what's working and share ideas with those committed to helping people improve their physical health."

Rebecca S. Reeves, Dr.P.H., R.D., president-elect of the American Dietetic Association, and Kate A. Coler, deputy undersecretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture, headlined the discussion providing practical information about the importance of balancing physical activity and good nutritional choices. "The obesity epidemic, among both adults and children, is one of the most urgent health issue facing our country," Reeves said. "We must teach people about the importance of combining physical activity with proper portion sizes."

The panel discussion brought together local and national representatives from government, non-profit organizations, academia and corporations to discuss:

* innovative health and wellness solutions across the state of Texas

* ideas on how to develop health and wellness initiatives

* how groups in Texas can become part of a national dialogue with others

who are committed to helping people live healthier lives

"I am committed to Austin becoming the fittest city in the United States. I look forward to continuing to work on this issue, and I know that our community will greatly benefit from embracing healthy living these fitness initiatives will promote," said Austin Mayor Will Wynn.

Paul Carrozza, member of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports added, "It's never too late to start improving your physical health. Right here in Texas, there are programs out there for every ability, every age group."

Additional panel participants included R. Sue Day, Ph.D., associate professor, University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston; Molly Gee, M.Ed., R.D., L.D., project leader, Baylor College of Medicine, LOOK AHEAD; and Kathy Hutchison, R.N., C.O.H.N., manager, medical department, Campbell Soup Company.

Following the panel discussion, representatives from several programs that are positively affecting health and wellness in Texas shared insights on what has inspired and motivated people of all ages to adopt better nutrition habits and become more physically active. Programs ranged from those targeting at- risk youth to help them learn to live healthier lifestyles to a statewide program designed to encourage physical activity and good nutritional choices in the senior population.

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 http://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 http://www.physicalfitness.org/.

American Council for Fitness and Nutrition

CONTACT: Laura Sheehan, +1-202-715-1526, Laura.Sheehan@dittus.com, orChristine Tucci, +1-202-715-1517, Christine.Tucci@dittus.com, both for theAmerican Council for Fitness and Nutrition

Web site: http://www.acfn.org/http://www.physicalfitness.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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