Announcements

Greetings from the office of the President's Challenge Physical Activity and Fitness Awards Program! You have received the June 2003 issue of fitnessisfun, the official e-mail distribution of the President's Challenge. These monthly e-mails will keep you updated on our program, activities of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS) and other current information pertaining to fitness.

SUMMER FUN
Both youth and adults can have fun and be active this summer by earning the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA). It only takes six weeks and summer is the perfect time to take advantage of outdoor opportunities. For more information on the PALA visit http://www.PresidentsChallenge.org
Also, look for some exciting changes coming to the President's Challenge website before the start of school this fall!

HEALTHFEST 2003
The President's Challenge will be appearing at the HealthFest 2003 on June 21-22 on the Mall in Washington DC at the "Triple Threat Foundation" exhibit. Come join us for fun, interaction, and special prizes. Healthfest 2003 is the annual "kick-off" for the world's largest Biotechnology Industry event - the BIO annual convention. Healthfest 2003 attendees will be able to visit numerous interactive exhibits; take part in scientific workshops, fun fitness clinics, and healthy cooking classes; receive free health screenings; get educational materials; and enjoy live entertainment. For more information about HealthFest 2003 visit http://healthfest2003.com/.

FUNDING FOR "STEPS TO A HEALTHIERUS": REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS
The Department of Health and Human Services, acting through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov/), and all other relevant Health and Human Services agencies have announced the availability of funding for the year 2003. This funding will be used towards implementing Secretary Thompson's Prevention Initiative for Americans, entitled "Steps to a HealthierUS". For the fiscal year of 2003 $15 million has been allocated, with over $13 million available to begin the program. The purpose of Steps is to reduce the burden of chronic diseases associated with obesity and being overweight. Those eligible for funding include local health departments, state health departments and tribes. Applications are due by September 22 and funding will be awarded accordingly. For full details of this funding opportunity and application processes, please visit http://www.healthierus.gov/steps/steps_brochure.html.

HHS & USDA ANNOUNCE DIETARY GUIDELINES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) announce the establishment of a Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. Nominations for the committee will be accepted until the close of business on June 16, 2003. The purpose of the committee is to evaluate revisions made to the guidelines in 2000, and subsequent revision years, based on current scientific research and applied literature. Prospective members of the committee should, among other things, be knowledgeable of current scientific research in human nutrition and be respected, published experts in their fields. Nominations will be accepted through e-mail to dietaryguidelines@osophs.dhhs.gov and may be mailed to Washington D.C. For the full address and further detailed information on this committee, please visit http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines.

PRESIDENT'S CHALLENGE TEAMS UP WITH ACTIVTRAX
ActivTrax, a developer of customized workouts for health club members, and the President's Challenge have announced a collaborative effort to reward and motivate Americans to be physically active. ActivTrax members will now be able to earn the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA) through the ActivTrax system by keeping track of not only in-club activity but out-of-club activity as well. For more information on ActivTrax visit http://www.activtrax.com/.

PARENTS OFTEN AWARE THEIR KIDS ARE OBESE
Researchers have found that 20-30% of U.S. children are either overweight or at risk for becoming overweight. This percentage has doubled from 20 years ago. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov) survey evaluating mother's perception of their children's weight found that two thirds of mothers with overweight children said their children weighed too much while one third thought their children weighed just the right amount. Typically, mothers felt that young overweight children would grow out of the baby fat, however childhood fat is likely to be carried into adulthood. Researchers identify the importance of awareness of physical activity and well-balanced diets as the most important tool in combating this problem. For more information on this topic, please visit http://usatoday.com/life/2003-05-04-child-usat_x.htm

STUDY: CDC IDENTIFIES 1 IN 4 AMERICANS GET NO EXERCISE
A report released May 14 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov) found that one quarter of all Americans get virtually no exercise either at work or during their leisure time. However, three-quarters of Americans do get at least moderate activity three or more days a week. Of the number of Americans taking part in physical activity, only 20 percent are considered very active by exercising moderately five times a week for 30 minutes or vigorously three times for 20 minutes. It is recommended that adults get at least 30 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week to fight obesity, heart disease, stroke and diabetes. This article can be found at http://www.cnn.com/2003/HEALTH/diet.fitness/05/15/cdc.exercise.ap/index.html.

STUDY: OBESITY INCREASES BIRTH DEFECT RISK
A recent study performed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov) confirmed the already presumed link between pre-pregnancy obesity and birth defects, such as spina bifida. Reportedly, women who are overweight or obese prior to pregnancy have twice the risk of having babies with heart defects and double the risk of multiple birth defects. Reasons for these defects are not certain, but may include poor eating habits, nutritional deficiencies and diabetes. This article was released in the Monday, May 5 edition of the Journal of Pediatrics and can also be found at http://www.cnn.com/2003/HEALTH/05/04/obesity.birth.defects.ap/index.html.

MASSIVE STUDY LINKS EXCESS WEIGHT & CANCER RISK
A 16-year study, evaluating 900,000 people has concluded that excess weight may account for 14 and 20 percent of all cancer deaths in men and women, respectively. Researchers feel that because this study is 10 times greater than any previous research on this topic, the evidence is indisputable. Women had a stronger link than men because of the higher instances of obesity found in women. Also, too much body fat in women increases the amount of estrogen in the blood, increasing the risk of cancers in the reproductive system. Increased body fat, in both sexes, also increases the risk of cancer through increased risk in acid reflux and raises in insulin levels. For more information on this study, please visit http://www.cnn.com/2003/HEALTH/conditions/04/23/fat.cancer.ap/index.html.

INACTIVITY BLAMED FOR TEEN OBESITY
Research analyzing federal diet, weight and physical activity of teens, ages 12-19 was recently conducted at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It was found that from the years 1980-2000, the number of calories eaten by this age group increased by one percent, while obesity rose 10 percent and physical activity decreased by 13 percent. These findings have led researchers at this university to believe that the obesity epidemic is primarily caused by the lack of physical activity. Other researchers, however, feel that the damage of a bad diet must also be taken into account when evaluating this epidemic. For more information on this topic, please visit http://www.msnbc.com/news/911047.asp?0cv=HB10#BODY.

STEPPING UP FITNESS
Four Indianapolis area schools have implemented pedometer based walking programs to motivate students, faculty and staff to become more physically active. The program entitled Indy in Motion:"A Walk in the Woods" has been implemented by the Marion County Health Department. Students are given the goal of 10,000 steps per day and have been given free pedometers to measure just how many steps they are taking. The programs taking place at these schools are pilot programs, however, based on feedback from students, parents and teachers, the program could be expanded into next school year. For more information on this program, please visit http://www.indystar.com/print/articles/9/038211-1159-P.html.

EXHIBITING THE PRESIDENT'S CHALLENGE:

HealthFest 2003
http://healthfest2003.com/
Washington, DC
June 21-22, 2003

FEEDBACK
We would love to hear from you. If you have any topics that you would like to see addressed in fitnessisfun or any comments on this list please let us know. You can provide them by emailing us at preschal@indiana.edu