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Nationwide Community Events Inspire 850,000 Americans to Take 9.3 Billion Steps During America On the Move Week at the YMCA

Posted on: Thursday, 12 October 2006, 09:01 CDT

CHICAGO, Oct. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- The obesity and chronic illness crisis is a big issue in the United States -- too big for any one organization or group of people to solve on its own. However, as hundreds of thousands of individuals and groups at YMCAs across the country proved recently, a sense of community and a common goal can motivate Americans to take small but significant steps toward a healthier lifestyle.

During America On the Move Week at the YMCA, more than 850,000 people participated in activities and events designed to inspire them to take small steps toward improving their health and quality of life, and collectively they took 9,318,471,692 steps from Sept. 23-30 -- far exceeding the YMCA's goal of 1 billion steps for the week. Taking 9.3 billion steps is equivalent to walking the circumference of the earth 187 times. Or walking between New York City and Los Angeles 1,860 times. Or completing 177,481 marathons. Or completing 33,073 Ironman(R) triathlons.

"With 60 million adults -- or 30 percent of the U.S. adult population -- and 9 million children obese or overweight, increased physical activity for our children and families is critically important," said Neil Nicoll, YMCA of the USA president and CEO. "Now more than ever, American families are looking to the YMCA to provide new and innovative ways to help them lead healthier lives, as we've done for more than 150 years. The YMCA Activate America(TM) initiative and its American On the Move Week at the YMCA national event continue to inspire Americans to make important lifestyle changes to improve their health and well-being."

More than 1,100 YMCAs across the country and in Puerto Rico opened their doors to their communities, members and nonmembers alike. Participants tracked the number of steps they took during the week at home, at the YMCA and elsewhere. Events held throughout the week by YMCAs included group bicycle rides, 5K community walk/runs and walks for kids participating in YMCA child care and afterschool programs. The YMCA of San Francisco kicked off the week with a health fair at a San Francisco 49ers game. In Sioux Falls, S.D., the YMCA sponsored a downtown lunchtime walk led by the mayor and schools superintendent. In Attleboro, Mass., the YMCA organized a "walking school bus" program, through which kids walked to school during the week instead of riding with their parents.

"Small, consistent changes to daily physical activity and eating patterns can add up over time to big rewards, and it starts with individuals, families and communities, and we are proud that the communities nationwide are embracing America On the Move through their local YMCAs," said James O. Hill, Ph.D., America On the Move co-founder. "What better place than the YMCA for Americans to take these small -- but crucial -- steps. We hope that the YMCA participants and all Americans will make small changes and take steps to a healthier way of life throughout the year."

America On the Move Week at the YMCA is a part YMCA Activate America, a national initiative that is rallying YMCAs across the country to further enhance their service and support to kids, adults and families who want to live a healthy lifestyle but struggle to do so. As a part of YMCA Activate America, YMCAs are also deepening their commitment to communitywide efforts to promote healthy living and intensifying their collaboration with other community partners to magnify their impact.

America On the Move Week at the YMCA builds upon a national partnership between YMCA of the USA and the America On the Move Foundation (AOM) and aims to motivate and mobilize thousands of Americans to take small steps towards a healthier lifestyle. AOM research shows that achieving energy balance is an effective approach to healthy weight management. Adding just 2,000 extra steps and eating 100 fewer calories each day are enough to help most Americans prevent the current average annual weight gain of 1 to 2 pounds.

PepsiCo and its SmartSpot brands are a national sponsor of YMCA Activate America and the national presenting sponsor of America On the Move. The Smart Spot symbol is the first-of-its-kind designation that makes it easier for consumers to identify PepsiCo products that can contribute to healthier lifestyles.

About YMCA of the USA

YMCA of the USA is the national resource office for America's 2,671 YMCAs, collectively the nation's largest community service organization and largest provider of child care. YMCAs serve 20.2 million people, almost half of whom are children, through a broad range of programs. YMCAs are for people of all faiths, races, ages, abilities and incomes. Financial assistance is available. Visit http://www.ymca.net/ to find your local YMCA.

About America On the Move

America On the Move Foundation (AOM) is a national nonprofit helping individuals, families and communities across our nation make positive changes to improve their health and quality of life. Through its programs and outreach, AOM initiates and maintains individual, social and environmental behavior changes that support healthy eating and active living habits in our society. AOM's science-based programs provide the support and tools that help individuals of all ages manage weight effectively through energy balance. For more information about September and other free AOM programs, please visit: http://www.americaonthemove.org/ .

About PepsiCo and the Smart Spot Program

PepsiCo, one of the world's largest food and beverage companies, is committed to providing industry leadership in the health and wellness arena. PepsiCo and its Smart Spot products are supporting this effort as a national sponsor of YMCA Activate America and the national presenting sponsor of America On the Move. PepsiCo launched the Smart Spot symbol, the first-of-its- kind designation that makes it easier for consumers to identify PepsiCo products that can contribute to healthier lifestyles. Products that feature the Smart Spot symbol meet established nutrition criteria based on authoritative statements from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the National Academy of Sciences. The Smart Spot logo appears on more than 250 products across all of PepsiCo's brands including Tropicana(R), Aquafina(R), Gatorade(R), Baked! Lay's(R), Quaker Oats (R) and Diet Pepsi(R) among others.

YMCA of the USA

CONTACT: Lynn Harmon, of Harmon Group for YMCA of the USA,+1-314-605-1145, or lynnharmon@sbcglobal.net

Web site: http://www.ymca.net/http://www.americaonthemove.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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