Fitness is Fun!
December 2007

Greetings from the office of the President's Challenge Physical Activity and Fitness Awards Program! You have received the December 2007 issue of Fitness is Fun, the official e-mail distribution of the President's Challenge. These monthly e-mails will keep you updated on our programs, activities of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS) and other current information pertaining to health and fitness.

The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and The President’s Challenge Program would like to wish all readers a healthy and active Holiday season.

Fitness Question of the Month for December:

What’s your favorite winter fitness activity, and why?

Please respond via E-mail to The President's Challenge at preschal@indiana.edu. We'll include the most insightful responses in the January issue of Fitness is Fun. Be sure to view the responses to November's Fitness Question near the end of this newsletter.

Have you or someone else motivated a group of children or adults to lead a healthier life? Email us your story at Preschal@indiana.edu and it could be featured in next month’s newsletter!

PCPFS NEWS:

PCPFS Physical Activity & Fitness Research Digest
The PCPFS Fitness Research Digest is published quarterly by the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. The Research Digest began in 1971 by H. Harrison Clark, Ed.D., a research professor of physical education at the University of Oregon. In keeping with H. Harrison Clark’s original intent, the editorial team does its best to identify and produce Digests that are current to the fields of physical activity, fitness, physical education, and sports. To subscribe to the Digest please visit http://www.presidentschallenge.org/misc/news_research/research_digest.aspx.

Healthy People 2020
PCPFS, as co-lead with the CDC of the Physical Activity and Fitness Objectives of Healthy People 2010 is embarking on the development of a vision and focus for Healthy People 2020. An interactive process, public opinion is welcomed via written and oral comments at regional hearings which will take place this spring in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Fort Worth, DC, and San Francisco. Stay tuned for updates and schedules.

The National President’s Challenge is coming!
The PCPFS will be launching a National Challenge on March 20, 2008. This physical activity challenge will help Americans of all ages "Spring into Action" by utilizing the President's Challenge website to track physical activity. Information will be coming soon on how individuals, families, organizations, schools, business, and industries can make their state the most active. The Challenge will take place from March 20th to May 15th. Look for more information in upcoming issues of Fitness Is Fun, on the President's Challenge website, and, on the PCPFS website. Downloadable resource tools are coming soon.

Acting U.S. Surgeon General Galson and NIH Director Zerhouni announcement
Acting U.S. Surgeon General Galson, NIH Director Zerhouni announce expanded efforts to address nationwide childhood overweight epidemic. A new partnership between the National Institutes of Health's We Can! (Ways to Enhance Children's Activity and Nutrition) program and the Association of Children's Museums (ACM) will expand efforts to address the epidemic of childhood overweight, national leaders in public health said today. In addition, three major cities -- Boston, Pittsburgh, and Las Vegas -- will be designated as We Can! Cities. We Can!, a science-based national education program to help children ages 8-13 stay at a healthy weight, is now being implemented in more than 450 community sites in 44 states. We Can! is a science-based national education program developed by the National Institutes of Health -- a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services -- to help children ages 8-13 stay at a healthy weight through improving food choices, increasing physical activity, and reducing screen time. We Can! is unique among existing youth obesity-prevention initiatives in its focus on reaching parents and families as a primary group for influencing young people and is one of the President’s Challenge Advocates. The program offers flexible, turn-key resources complete with partnership ideas and outreach opportunities to unite community organizations. Four of the National Institutes of Health have combined their unique resources and activities to create We Can! : The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; and the National Cancer Institute.

For more information, visit http://wecan.nhlbi.nih.gov or call toll-free 866-35-WE CAN (866-359-3226).

President's Challenge NEWS:

2008 Wintertrails Event
January 12, 2008 will offer young and old an opportunity to try some winter activities, such as snow-shoeing, cross country skiing, etc. while learning about nutrition, layering of clothes at Liberty. The Snowsports Industries Association, a President’s Challenge Advocate, promotes winter fun while tracking minutes of activity. A map and detailed information are available on www.fitness.gov.

Track your Time Ad Campaign and SCREENSAVER
The President's Challenge recently launched an ad campaign featuring an all new set of characters being physically active. The characters highlight the importance of being physically active and promote the tracking tools on the President's Challenge website. These characters are also highlighted on the 2007-08 President's Challenge poster and in the instruction booklet. The ads can be found on our website at http://www.presidentschallenge.org/misc/news_research/press_room.aspx under Media Downloads. There is also a screensaver version to remind everyone to track their time.

When a Child is Empowered, Anything is Possible
Age doesn’t slow down Lizzie Marie when she decided she wanted to help people become healthier. At the young age of 6, Lizzie Marie began baking and selling all-natural foods at a local farmers’ market. In the summer of 2007, 7 year-old Lizzie Marie launched http://www.lizziemariecuisine.com. She provides her audience with the recipes and presents them in her weekly online video cooking demonstrations.

Not only does Lizzie Marie teach people how to be healthy online, she is actively involved in the community. She talks with a local children’s hospital to teach children how they can eat healthy. She is also creating two cookbooks for her Girl Scout troop.

Lizzie’s future goals include partnering with a foundation to promote health living and choice and attending Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in Paris, France. To view Lizzie’s website visit http://www.lizziemariecuisine.com.

Have you or someone else motivated a group of children or adults to lead a healthier life? Email us your story at preschal@indiana.edu. and it could be featured in next month’s newsletter!

UPCOMING EVENTS

2008 will be a stellar year with a diverse menu of new tools, resources and guidelines for physical activity. Stay tuned to future issues for up to the minute information on:

Information on the development of the vision for Healthy People 2020
The release of the Physical Activity Guidelines
The National President’s Challenge
May, National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
Opportunity to become a State Champion; Model School; PCPFS Demonstration Center

The 2007-2008 President’s Challenge Exhibit Schedule
National Catholic Education Association (NCEA)
Indianapolis, IN
March 25-28, 2008
http://www.ncea.org

National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP)
Nashville, TN
April 4-8, 2008
http://www.naesp.org

American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD)
Ft. Worth, TX
April 8-12, 2008
http://www.aahperd.org

NEWS AND RESEARCH

Pedometers found to be a great motivator to stay active
A study performed by researchers from the University of Michigan Health System and VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System found the use of a pedometer and a Web site that tracked physical activity levels proved to be powerful motivators for their subjects with diabetes. During the program, participants in both groups increased their walking significantly during the program.

Both groups wearing pedometers increased their amount of steps, and took longer walks. Furthermore, researchers found that the groups of participants that wore the pedometers consistently throughout a day, were likely to stay more motivated to consistently stay active than the groups that only wore the pedometers during scheduled exercise. To learn more about the pedometer study visit http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/89283.php.

President’s Challenge “Fitness is Fun” Pedometer Challenge
Are you and a group up for the pedometer challenge? Try wearing a pedometer to see if you are more motivated to stay active. This is a great way for you, your family or a group start the New Year’s off right! Please email your results to preschal@indiana.edu. We will feature the results in February’s newsletter. Good luck! If you do not have a pedometer, visit our order center and order yours today https://www.presidentschallenge.org/order_center/detail.aspx?productid=141&catname=Pedometers&subcatname=None.

Study: Lunch sales at schools don’t decline when healthy food served
The University of Minnesota conducted a study that found that school lunch sales don’t decline when healthier meals are served, and that more nutritious lunches don’t necessarily cost schools more to produce. The study analyzed five years of data for 330 Minnesota public school districts. It looked at compliance with federal standards for calories, nutrients and fats. The study also confirmed that even though serving better meals does require high labor costs, that’s offset by lower cost for more nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables compared with processed foods.

To view this article visit http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/diet.fitness/11/26/diet.school.lunches.ap/index.html.

New Guidelines issued for preventing childhood obesity
A panel of medical experts has delivered what has been said to be the most aggressive and thorough guidelines ever issued for preventing and treating childhood obesity to U.S. doctors. The specialists were made up of government agencies and the American Medical Association. The guidelines call for children to receive weight checks at least yearly, counseling about weight even if children are not overweight, and a four-stage treatment plan that could end in medication or surgery for the most obese children.

To view the full article visit http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-12-02-childhood-obesity_N.htm?POE=click-refer.

FITNESS QUESTION OF THE MONTH

Which outdoor activities do enjoy most during autumn?

Fitness Question Responses for the Month of November:

Walking and looking at the leaves - It's not too hot in Georgia and starts getting cooler in autumn. Such beautiful colors make exercising a pleasure.
~Gaye

Mountain biking is fun all year round but is exceptional in the fall. The bugs of summer are gone. Much cooler temperatures can take some of the joy out of road biking, but the slower speeds and intense effort on the trail keep mountain bikers toasty. Most importantly, navigating rock gardens, hopping logs and staying upright over slippery roots hone your sense of balance and your instincts for finding the best line. These are the skills you need for skiing-the most enjoyable winter activity.
~Tim

There is nothing like raking leaves under the crisp autumn sunshine! The crunching leaves and the deep blue sky is an invigorating and pleasurable experience for me. Seeing the clean green yard and the mountain of bags all filled with the multi-colored leaves makes me feel refreshed and satisfied with a job well done!
~Carol

My favorite autumn outdoor activity is horseback riding. The horses are a little more energetic when the weather starts to cool off, the trails are dry and the foliage is spectacular!
~Bob

My husband, Rusty, and I love to go camping in the autumn at Trace State Park in Mississippi. We get a lot of exercise hiking on the nature trails. When we got married (six years ago today - Nov. 16) we spent a week camping at Trace Park, so it has become a tradition that we really enjoy. We just got back on Sunday from our week of camping! The trees in Mississippi are so beautiful I just want to be outside in this glorious world every chance I get.
~Jean

Raking leaves, burning leaves and branches from yard cleanup. (I know that this is not always considered environmentally friendly, but gathering up leaves and yard waste gets me sweating and the campfire environment afterwards is so relaxing).
~Glenn

I'm currently taking swimming lessons (I'm in Level 4!) and going to the recreation center for aquacize classes too! Come January, the adult learn-to-swim classes will stop and I'm planning on going to the pool for swimming practice 2x a week. I also want to start doing some strength training workouts at home as well or return to the gym comes January.
~Marcia

REMINDERS:

Remember to fill out State Champion, Model School, and Demonstration Center applications to ensure that your students are rewarded for their hard work! For more information, including application deadlines and guidelines, please visit http://www.presidentschallenge.org/educators/school_recognition.aspx.

SPECIAL THANKS

We would like to extend a special thanks to all of the President's Challenge Advocates. Please visit the Advocates area on the http://www.presidentschallenge.org/ web site to see how companies, organizations and groups are making a difference with the President's Challenge.

FEEDBACK

We would like to hear from you. If you have any topics that you would like to see addressed in Fitness is Fun or any comments regarding this list, please let us know. You can provide them by emailing us at preschal@indiana.edu.

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Fitness is Fun! December 2007

Fitness is Fun!
December 2007