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This information was printed from The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports,
located at http://www.fitness.gov
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From the Executive Director
Melissa Johnson

The wrap-up of the inaugural National President’s Challenge (NPC) , the launch of the new Adult Fitness Test, and the development of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans have kept the President’s Council active these last few months.  I applaud the top four states: Alaska, Arkansas, Wyoming, and Maryland and #5, the District of Columbia. Secretary Leavitt honored Alaska Governor Sarah Palin with the Champions Award, and Acting Surgeon General Steven Galson and I had the pleasure of honoring the state of Arkansas as #2. I want to thank our Council members for promoting the inaugural NPC in their home states and nationwide.  Additionally, I applaud the HHS Regional Health Administrators and Regional Directors who helped us get the word out in their respective regions, as well as many Governors, President’s Challenge Advocates and others who promoted the program. The team effort truly paid off! People from all 50 states and several territories participated and committed to a more active lifestyle. 

Launching the Adult Fitness Test at Results Gym on Capitol Hill was exciting.  Council Members were joined by Admiral Galson and “Biggest Loser” star Bernie Salazar. Denise Austin led the group through each test element. I thank our partner IHRSA for assisting in coordinating and supporting the event. Over the past few years we’ve heard from people like you who indicated they wanted to test their fitness level just as they did in elementary school. For many baby boomers, there’s a bit of a nostalgia factor to this test. Over 75,000 people signed up in the first week following the launch! Thanks to the work of our Science Board and Council members, we have a test that we feel is the best representation of adult standards available to date.  I hope you’ll visit www.adultfitnesstest.org and check it out!

I have had the privilege of serving on the federal steering committee for the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans with Admiral Penny Royall, Captain Rick Troiano, Dr. Bill Kohl, and Dr. Janet Fulton. The writing team has been led by Dr. David Buchner.  This is an extraordinary time for our field.  The 600+ page report of the Federal Advisory Committee can be found at www.health.gov/paguidelines.  The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, which is a summation of the committee’s report will be released this October. Over 900 public comments were reviewed. The PCPFS staff has been working as part of the communications team and writing group, as well as heading up the partnership activities. Consumer materials and a partnership toolkit will be available to supporters (individuals, organizations, associations, etc.) who commit to disseminating the Guidelines to constituents. Thanks to Kay Loughrey in the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion for her leadership on the communications team. As we near the launch date, more information will be posted on the PA Guidelines website.  We are very grateful to Penny Royall, leader of the Secretary’s Prevention Initiative, for spearheading this two-year process.

Dr. Lillian Greene-Chamberlain is our featured council member.  Dr. Greene-Chamberlain’s life is a fascinating one that reflects on some of the history of track and field and physical education both in the United States and abroad.  Her feature gives you a brief snapshot of some of the amazing things she has accomplished in her life.  I encourage you to check it out. 

At our May council meeting we recognized Dr. Richard Keelor as the PCPFS Lifetime Achievement Award Winner.  We also announced the Community Leadership Award Winners.  At the end of the month, I had the honor of presenting Dr. Russell Pate with the Science Honor Award.  It’s a pleasure to recognize the variety of individuals who have done so much to further the work of the Council and physical activity, fitness, and sports in general.  As we always say, there is much work to be done, but progress is being made because of people like Drs. Pate and Keelor working on a national level, as well as our community leader heroes. Keep up the great work!

Melissa Johnson, M.S.
Executive Director

Council Members' News and Activities

An interview with PCPFS Council Member Lillian Greene-Chamberlain, Ph.D.

Were sports or outdoor play an important part of your life when you were growing up?

When I was growing up in New York City, physical education was mandated in the public schools. Fortunately, my Harlem community provided a myriad of activities and safe venues in which to participate, and it seemed like just about everyone was involved in some sort of physical activity. Girls played tag, hop scotch, ping pong, kick ball, dodge ball, softball, volleyball, “girls rule” basketball, and jumped double dutch. Boys played catch, stick ball, basketball, baseball, and flag football. We roller skated and rode our bikes. We ran track, swam in community center pools, took dance lessons, and ice skated. The public schools offered lots of activities, including academic enrichment in their after-school and evening community center programs during the school year, and operated vacation day camps during the summer months. In addition to the school’s involvement, nationally affiliated sports organizations such as the Police Athletic League (PAL), Catholic Youth Organization, YWCA, YMCA, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and other community based youth serving organizations, provided activities, programs, recreation leagues, and sports tournaments for its neighborhood youth.

How did you get your start in track and field?

When I was eight years old, I was discovered racing and beating the boys in my elementary school yard by a New York City patrolman. After getting permission from my parents, he enrolled me in the Harlem Police Athletic League’s (PAL) sports program. By the time I was 12, I received the PAL Athlete of the Year honors in track and field, basketball and softball. By age 16, I had graduated from high school and was enrolled in college. At 17 years of age, I became the first United States National Champion in 800m before it became an Olympic event, and the first African-American woman to represent the United States in the 400m and 800m in international competitions in Russia, Poland, Hungary and Greece.

Did you face any obstacles in your sport (particularly given the time during which you were competing)?

As far back as I can remember, I was told, “Lillian, you can’t do that…you can’t play that…you’re a girl…you’ll get hurt.” Then later on I was told, “You must be kidding.” “Females can’t run that far.” “That’s never been done before.” “You’ll never accomplish that.” “You’re dreaming.” “It’ll never happen.”

It wasn’t easy being a female student athlete in the late 50’s and early 60’s. There was no such concept as “Gender Equity” back then. There was no Amateur Sports Act, and Title IX did not exist. The only organized extra-curricular activities offered for girls by my high school were Glee Club, Dance Club and Cheerleading, and colleges and universities did not offer athletic scholarships to women. The male athletes at my university flew by plane to their competitions; my newly formed four-member women’s track team traveled by car, bus or train. The men received new uniforms and equipment; we were given their hand-me-downs.

Throughout my life I have faced numerous obstacles and challenges, often requiring difficult choices, while stepping over barriers both athletically and professionally. I have often been the first person, first woman, first African-American or first American accomplishing something or serving in a position. I have never feared however, being the first or only one. Early on, my parents taught me a powerful secret of life. They said, “The spirit of the pioneer is free! When you are the first to accomplish something, you can’t really make a mistake, because no one has done it before.” They were right!

What was your primary focus when you were appointed the first Director of the Physical Education and Sports Program for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO, located in Paris, France) in 1978?

I was responsible for the conception, planning, development and implementation of all projects, programs and activities related to physical education and sport in the 161 member nations of UNESCO throughout the world.

My decade-long tenure was notable for the challenges that I faced in carrying out my duties as a female working in a predominantly all-male bastion throughout the world. I collaborated with the International Olympic Committee, national Olympic committees, international sports federations, and national ministries of physical education, youth, sports, and culture.

One of my most significant achievements during my tenure was assisting in the development and adoption in 1979 of the “International Charter of Physical Education and Sport” by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee. In addition to its general meaning for males and females alike, each of the ten Articles of the Charter has a unique perspective with regard to both girls and women.

Given the severity of some of the issues children around this world face, do you feel sports and physical activity or exercise are important to their growth and development?

The way humankind play, train and perfect themselves by means of physical activity is based on beliefs, ways of thinking and attitudes which form part of the culture, and may differ from decade to decade, generation to generation and from society to society. Sports can serve as a vehicle to teach ways in which we can better respect gender differences, racial harmonies, and the roles of adults in shaping the lives of youth.

The positive influence of sport for youth allows young people to grow at an individual pace while learning intrinsic values such as relationship building, self-esteem, respect, discipline, and camaraderie…focal points for character and motor-skills development. Excelling in sports takes hard work: practice, teamwork, cooperation and personal effort. If these traits can be applied to other aspects of life, opportunities for growth and development will abound.

Is there more that needs to be done to promote sports participation in the U.S.?

The physical activity system for American youth has disintegrated over the last 30 years. Mandatory daily physical education is disappearing from our schools. In many neighborhoods, after-school free play is limited, because parents are concerned about their children’s safety. Organized sports are often expensive and not accessible to economically disadvantaged children living in low-income communities, or to children living in rural areas. Even under good circumstances, girls are more adversely affected and are more likely than boys to drop out of physical activities and sport by the end of high school.

In order to promote and increase physical activity and sports participation in the United States for everyone, regardless of age, race, gender, income level or physical ability, there must be a commitment of resources from public-private partnerships (involving federal, state, local governments and the private sector), and the close collaboration and coordination of community efforts through schools, educators, health professionals, families, parks and recreation facilities, places of worship, and youth serving organizations.

How has your involvement in track and field helped you professionally?

Participating in sports gave me confidence, self-esteem and a sense of empowerment that I could be successful in anything that I attempted, through strategic thinking, realistic goal-setting, hard work, persistence and courage. It prepared me for the serious competition of life, and I used the lessons that I learned as tools to succeed in progressing from the locker room to the board room.

FEATURE ARTICLE
Physical Activity and Academic Performance

Authors:  Cheryl A. Howe, MS., and Patty S. Freedson, Ph.D., FACSM and PCPFS Science Board Member, Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

Introduction
The percentage of children 6 - 11 years of age who are overweight has more than tripled over the past three decades.  While childhood obesity continues to rise, physical activity levels in children continue to decline.  In a 2002 Youth Media Campaign Longitudinal Survey more than 3,000 children (9 - 13 y) were surveyed about their physical activity habits. The survey revealed that less than 40% of the children reported participating in organized physical activity while more than 20% reported no free-play activity outside of school hours.

The school is an ideal setting to increase physical activity through physical education, free-play activity during recess and in before- and after- school activity programs.  The National Association for Sport and Physical Education recommends at least 150 min/week of instructional physical education for elementary school children. The 2006 CDC’s School Health Policies and Programs Study revealed that only 4% of elementary schools provide daily physical education throughout the school year, a decline from 1991 when 42% of all children participated in daily physical education.1 

Physical activity, academic performance and cognitive development
Academic achievement is of critical importance for youth, and time devoted to learning in schools is central to its success.  However, factors other than time spent on core academic subject matter may also contribute to academic success.  Recent studies have shown that physical activity has a positive effect on academic performance. 3, 4, 9, 12, 13

Research has shown that the addition of physical education to the school day results in small but positive gains in academic performance.  Shephard and colleagues10, 11 added five hours of physical activity per week to 2nd to 6th grade classrooms (children 6 - 11 years of age).  In addition to improvements in cardiovascular fitness and strength, levels of arousal and attention in the classroom were better and overall academic grades improved for all grade levels.  Sixth grade standardized tests showed improvements in math and overall intelligence scores despite the 13-14% reduction in classroom studies due to the additional time allotted to physical activity. 

Other studies have shown that more time for physical activity does not hinder academic performance.  Dwyer and colleagues4 evaluated the addition of 75 min of PE in 500 10-yr old children.  After 3 years, no changes in academic performance were observed despite the reduction in time for formal teaching.  Similar results were reported following a 2 year physical activity intervention program (SPARK) for 4th and 5th grade children.9

Recent studies have shown positive associations between physical activity and cognitive function, particularly for executive function.5, 7, 8, 10, 11  Executive function, the ability to plan and select activities to organize goal-directed action and promote decision-making skills, is essential to psychological and social development in children.  Executive function influences a child’s ability to understand when to apply knowledge, effectively plan, update working memory, shift from one mental set to another, and inhibit impulsive behavior.  Improvements in any of these skills may aid in academic performance which is often measured by standardized tests and academic grades or estimated from measures of concentration, memory, and classroom behaviors. 

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans of brain activity have been employed to characterize the underlying brain activity patterns linking physical activity, fitness and cognitive function.2, 3   In a study of 200 overweight 7 – 11 year old children, fMRI results revealed a positive dose-response between physical activity level and frontal-lobe brain activity, an important area for executive function during decision-making processes.  These beneficial changes in cognitive function corresponded with positive changes in standardized cognition test scores.3, 6 

Research evidence suggests that participation in daily physical activity in schools may improve academic performance.  Thus, the benefits of physical activity extend beyond the known health-related outcomes to include academic performance and cognitive function in children and should be viewed as a valuable part of each school day. 

References

1. National Association for Sport and Physical Education & American Heart Association. In: Shape of the nation report: Status of physical education in the USA. Reston, VA: National Association for Sport and Physical Education, 2006.
   
2. Colcombe, S. J., A. F. Kramer, K. I. Erickson, P. Scalf, E. McAuley, N. J. Cohen, A. Webb, G. J. Jerome, D. X. Marquez, and S. Elavsky. Cardiovascular fitness, cortical plasticity, and aging. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 101:3316-3321, 2004.
   
3. Davies, C. L., J. Tkacz, P.D. Tomporowski. Effects of Aerobic Training Dose on Overweight Cheldren's Cognition and Achievement: A Randomized Controlled Trial. In North American Association for the Study of Obesity. New Orleans, LA, 2007.
   
4. Dwyer, T., W. E. Coonan, D. R. Leitch, B. S. Hetzel, and R. A. Baghurst. An investigation of the effects of daily physical activity on the health of primary school students in South Australia. Int J Epidemiol. 12:308-313, 1983.
   
5. Etnier, J. L., P. M. Nowell, D. M. Landers, and B. A. Sibley. A meta-regression to examine the relationship between aerobic fitness and cognitive performance. Brain Res Rev. 52:119-130, 2006.
   
6. Hellmich, N. Exercise Builds Strong Brains: Study Documents link in Children. USA Today. October 30, 2007, 2007:4D.
   
7. Hillman, C. H., D. M. Castelli, and S. M. Buck. Aerobic fitness and neurocognitive function in healthy preadolescent children. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 37:1967-1974, 2005.
   
8. Sallis, J. F., T. L. McKenzie, J. E. Alcaraz, B. Kolody, N. Faucette, and M. F. Hovell. The effects of a 2-year physical education program (SPARK) on physical activity and fitness in elementary school students. Sports, Play and Active Recreation for Kids. Am J Public Health. 87:1328-1334, 1997.
   
9. Sallis, J. F., T. L. McKenzie, B. Kolody, M. Lewis, S. Marshall, and P. Rosengard. Effects of health-related physical education on academic achievement: project SPARK. Res Q Exerc Sport. 70:127-134, 1999.
   
10. Shephard, R. J. Physical activity and the healthy mind. Can Med Assoc J. 128:525-530, 1983.
    
11. Shephard, R. J., M. Volle, H. Lavallee, R. LaBarre, J. C. Jequier, and M. Rajic. Required physical activity and academic grades: a controlled study. In: Children and Sport. J. Ilmarinen and I. Valimaki (Eds.) Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1984, pp. 58 - 63.
    
12. Tomporowski, P. D. Cognition and behavior responses to acute exercise in youth: a review. Pediatric Exercise Science. 15:348-359, 2003.
    
13. Tomporowski, P. D., C.L. Davies, P.H. Miller, J.A. Naglieri. Exercise and Children's Intelligence, Cognition, and Academic Performance. In: Educ Psychol Rev, 2007.
    

Mark Your Calendar

September
27 National Public Lands Day www.publiclandsday.org
4-7 National Institute on Recreation Inclusion, Eugene, Oregon www.nrpa.org/content/default.aspx?documentId=665
22-28 Active Aging Week www.icaa.cc/aaw.htm

October
International Walk to School Month www.iwalktoschool.org/october.htm
8 Walk to School Day www.walktoschool.org 
15-18 Corporate Fitness and Wellness Show www.corporatefitnessshow.com
15-18 Inclusive Fitness Conference: Exercise is for Everybody, Chicago, IL www.ncpad.org

November
12-15 Annual School Health Conference www.ashaweb.org/annual_conferences.html

Grants and Calls for Proposals

NIH
Reducing Risk Behaviors by Promoting Positive Youth Development (R01)
(PA-08-241)
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
National Cancer Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
National Institute on Drug Abuse
National Institute of Nursing Research
Application Receipt/Submission Date(s): Multiple dates, see announcement. Earliest submission date: September 16, 2008.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-08-241.html

Reducing Risk Behaviors by Promoting Positive Youth Development (R03)
(PA-08-242)
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
National Cancer Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Application Receipt/Submission Date(s): Multiple dates, see announcement. Earliest submission date: September 16, 2008.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-08-242.html

Targeted Approaches to Weight Control in Young Adults (U01)
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
Letters of Intent Due: September 10, 2008
Application Due: October 10, 2008
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HL-08-007.html

Notice of Intent to Publish a Request for Applications for Effects of Physical Activity and Exercise on Drug Use and Abuse (NOT-DA-08-018)
National Institute on Drug Abuse
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-DA-08-018.html

Geographic and Contextual Influences on Energy Balance-Related Health Behaviors (R01)
(PA-08-192)
National Cancer Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
National Institute of Nursing Research
Office of Behavioral and Social Science Research
Application Receipt/Submission Date(s): Multiple dates, see announcement. Earliest submission date: September 5, 2008.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-08-192.html

Geographic and Contextual Influences on Energy Balance-Related Health Behaviors (R21)
(PA-08-193)
National Cancer Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
National Institute of Nursing Research
Office of Behavioral and Social Science Research
Application Receipt/Submission Date(s): Multiple dates, see announcement. Earliest submission date: September 16, 2008.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-08-193.html

Meetings, Conferences, and Networks for Research Partnerships to Improve Functional Outcomes (R13)  (PAR-08-207)
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
National Eye Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
National Institute of Mental Health
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Application Receipt/Submission Date(s): Multiple dates, see announcement.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-207.html

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Active Living Research/Healthy Eating Research Rapid-Response Grants
Letters of Intent: Can be submitted at anytime
Deadline for receipt of invited full proposals: August 15 or October 15, 2008
www.rwjf.org/childhoodobesity/fundingops.jsp

Active Living Research New Connections Call for Proposals (CFP). 
Deadline for submission of full proposals: August 28, 2008, 1:00 p.m. PDT.
Conference Call for Potential Applicants: July 30, 2008 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. PDT
This CFP will focus on supporting research to inform policy and environmental strategies for increasing physical activity among children and adolescents, decreasing their sedentary behaviors and preventing obesity. 

New Connections grants are for new investigators from historically disadvantaged and underrepresented communities. Two types of grants will be funded under this CFP: research grantsand publication grants.

Approximately $286,000 will be awarded for research and publication grants relating to youth physical activity and sedentary behavior at the population level. Information on the two funding categories is outlined in the CFP document.
To view the CFP and to link to the RWJF Grantmaking Online system, please visit: http://www.activelivingresearch.org/grantsearch/grantopportunities/current.
To register for the conference call, visit: http://www.activelivingresearch.org/grantsearch/grantopportunities/teleconference. 
Investigators who meet the specific eligibility criteria for this CFP also are eligible and encouraged to apply for other ALR grant opportunities.

To learn more about the RWJF New Connections Program, including New Connections grant funding opportunities in other content areas, please visit http://www.rwjf-newconnections.org.   

President's Challenge Program Updates

President’s Challenge News

Adult Fitness Test
The President’s Challenge Adult Fitness Test (www.adultfitnesstest.org) launched May 14th.  The fitness test, for adults aged 18 and older, assesses the following health related fitness components:

• Aerobic Fitness - ability of the heart and lungs to deliver blood to muscles. This activity is tested with a 1 Mile Walk or a 1.5 Mile Run.
• Muscular Strength and Endurance - enough to do normal activities easily and protect the lower back. This activity is tested with Half Sit-Ups and Push-Ups.
• Flexibility - ability to move joints through their proper range of motion. This activity is tested with the Sit and Reach test.
• Body Composition - measured using a Body Mass Index (BMI) chart.

The activities featured on this adult fitness test are provided as a way for participants to get an estimate of their fitness level.  After taking each test and entering their scores on-line, participants receive a “score” based on their percentile ranking on each test item.  Individuals who are already physically active are encouraged to take the test, continue with a regular program of physical activity (such as the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award) and then re-take the test to gauge changes to their level of fitness.

A downloadable test instruction booklet (PDF) is available at http://www.adultfitnesstest.org/resources/testbooklet.pdf

National President’s Challenge (NPC)
Congratulations to Alaska, the winner of the inaugural National President’s Challenge (NPC)! Congratulations also to Arkansas, Wyoming, Washington, D.C. and Maryland for rounding out the top five winners.  Secretary Leavitt presented Alaska Governor Palin with the #1 award, and Surgeon General Steven Galson and PCPFS Executive Director Melissa Johnson traveled to Little Rock to present the #2 award to the state of Arkansas. Close to 90,000 people registered to participate in the NPC.  Final scores were based on percentage of population.  Don’t let the completion of the NPC stop your participation in the President’s Challenge nor your physical activity.  All registrants are encouraged to continue logging activity and earning awards.  For example, if you signed up for the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award, now is the time to start working towards a Presidential Champions medal.  To do so, log-in at www.presidentshcallenge.org and click on the “Edit Your Profile” tab.  Select the “Your program preferences” on the left side of the screen and then select the Presidential Champions Program (or Advanced Performance Program). Keep up the great work!

New Activity
Nintendo Wii (Sports) is now on the list of President’s Challenge activities.

Science Board News and Notes

Dr. Russ Pate is the recipient of the 2008 PCPFS Science Honor Award, which was presented at at the American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting.  Dr. Pate’s more than thirty years on faculty at the University of South Carolina have been devoted to researching physical activity and fitness in children and the health benefits of physical activity.  Among Dr. Pate’s many professional contributions is his appointment to the 2005 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee and to the first Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee in 2007.

Science Honor Award nominations for 2009 will be accepted through December 4, 2008.  See below for nomination form requirements.

Science Honor Award Nomination Requirements

• Name, address, phone, email, and/or fax number of the person or group making the nomination.

• Name, institutional affiliation, address, phone, email, and fax number of the nominee.

• Answers to the following questions using a maximum of two pages:

1. Describe the candidate’s contributions to the advancement of the science of physical activity.
2. Describe how the candidate successfully promotes physical activity as it relates to the mission of the PCPFS (Serving as a catalyst to promote, encourage, and motivate Americans of all ages to be physically active through participation in recreational, fitness, and/or sports activities).

Email nominations to Jane Wargo, President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, jane.wargo@hhs.gov.

If there are any problems with transmission, please call 202.690.5157. A confirmation email verifying the receipt of the nomination will be sent within five business days.

What's New at HHS

2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans
The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans will be launched in October 2008, along with consumer materials and toolkits for supporting organizations. The Guidelines are based on the Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Report, 2008, which is now available at http://www.health.gov/PAguidelines. The Committee report is a valuable resource that summarizes the current science relating physical activity to health outcomes. The report can be downloaded in its entirety or by individual chapters. The site also includes an additional 300 pages of online only appendix tables.
Stay tuned for October launch details!

Office of the Surgeon General
The Office of the Surgeon General, led by Rear Admiral Steven K. Galson, M.D., M.P.H. has a new web site: http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/childobesity/

The Web site is designed for parents and other caring adults who want to help children eat better and move more. The site is part of the “Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future” campaign, the HHS childhood overweight and obesity prevention initiative that helps kids to stay active, learn healthy eating habits, and make healthy choices.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Research
“Investment in Safe Routes to School projects: public health benefits for the larger community” suggests that SRTS projects may improve physical activity levels among children and adults.  The article can be found in the July issue of Preventing Chronic Disease, which is available at: www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2008/jul/pdf/07_0087.pdf

VERB Campaign Articles
A supplement to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, entitled “The VERB™ Campaign. Not about Health, All about Fun:  Marketing Physical Activity to Children” is now available.  Eleven articles provide behind-the-scenes stories on the development, marketing and promotion, and evaluation of the successful VERB Campaign, which ended on September 30, 2006.
Free access to the supplement is available at http://www.ajpm-online.net/ (American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Volume 34, Issue 6, Supplement 1). 

Additional information about CDC’s VERB Campaign can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/youthcampaign/.

New Healthy Weight Web Site
The Division of Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Obesity launched the Healthy Weight: It’s not a diet, it’s a lifestyle! Web site.  The site features information on how to balance calories, prevent weight gain, lose weight, eat for a healthy weight, and prevent childhood obesity.  Visit www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/healthyweight

Community Health Promotion Handbook - Update
CDC and Partnership for Prevention released Places for Physical Activity: Facilitating Development of a Community Trail and Promoting Its Use to Increase Physical Activity Among Youth and Adults—An Action.  It is one of five guides that comprise The Community Health Promotion Handbook: Action Guides to Improve Community Health available at www.prevent.org/actionguides/Handbook.
 
Concussions in Youth Sports – New Resource
The “Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports” initiative has e-cards that target coaches, parents, and athletes.  The cards can be sent to up to five people at one time and direct recipients to the initiative’s Website for more information.  To view the e-cards, please visit http://www2a.cdc.gov/eCards/browse.asp?act=brs    

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)

2007 BRFSS Data and Documentation and Prevalence Tables Now Available  
The BRFSS is a unique, state-based surveillance system active in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam.  Information on health behaviors including physical activity, clinical preventive health practices, and health care access, primarily related to chronic disease and injury, is obtained from a representative sample of non-institutionalized adults, 18 years and older, in each state.  The BRFSS provides flexible, timely, and ongoing data collection that allows for state-to-state and state-to-nation comparisons.  State-specific data, including racial-and-ethnic-specific data from the BRFSS, provide a sound basis for developing and evaluating public health programs, including programs targeted to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in health risks.  The BRFSS is the largest telephone-based surveillance system in the world, with 430,912 interviews in 2007.

The 2007 BRFSS data and documentation files are located at www.cdc.gov/brfss/technical_infodata/surveydata/2007.htm
The 2007 BRFSS prevalence data are located at http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/brfss/index.asp.  

Update of the Web-Enabled Analysis Tool (WEAT)
The online Web-Enabled Analysis Tool (WEAT) allows people to conduct analyses with the option of using several distinct variables from the BRFSS web site. Users can do logistic or cross-tabulation analyses using data for the entire nation or by state.  

The WEAT BRFSS data are located at http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/s_broker/htmsql.exe/weat/index.hsql.

Morbidity Mortality Weekly Report News
Arthritis as a Potential Barrier to Physical Activity Among Adults with Diabetes: Using data from the BRFSS, researchers found thatarthritis prevalence was 52.0% among adults with diagnosed diabetes and the prevalence of physical inactivity was higher among adults with diabetes and arthritis (29.8%) compared with adults with diabetes alone (21.0%).  The association was independent of age, sex, or body mass index (BMI). The higher prevalence of physical inactivity among adults who have both diabetes and arthritis suggests that arthritis might be an additional barrier to increasing physical activity.  The full article is available at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5718a3.htm?s_cid=mm5718a3_e

National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP)
More than 3 million or 13 percent of African Americans aged 20 and older are living with diabetes in the United States. 1 in 3 African American youth born in 2000 are expected to develop type 2 diabetes in their lifetime.  
NDEP developed a new community curriculum, Power to Prevent: A Family Lifestyle Approach to Diabetes Prevention, to address this diabetes epidemic among African Americans. The curriculum can be used by small groups to teach African Americans with and at risk for diabetes how to make healthy lifestyle changes, such as healthy food choices and physical activity to prevent and manage the disease.
Visit www.cdc.gov/diabetes/ndep/power_to_prevent.htm to download the publication or call 1-888-693-NDEP (6337) to order a free copy.

NDEP updated Get Real! You Don’t Have to Knock Yourself Out to Prevent Diabetes.  The publication offers simple tips to help Americans at-risk for developing type II diabetes move more and make healthier food choices. http://ndep.nih.gov/campaigns/SmallSteps/getreal/index.htm

4 Pasos para controlar la diabetes de por vida is the recently released Spanish version of 4 Steps to Control Your Diabetes. For Life. brochure, which helps people living with diabetes understand vital self-care principles. http://ndep.nih.gov/diabetes/control/4Pasos.htm

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Physical Activity Levels among Children Ages 9-15
The Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development found that at ages 9 and 11, more than 90 percent of children get the recommended amount of 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day.  At age 15, only 31 percent met that same level during the weekday and only 17 percent got the recommended amount on weekends.  The study is funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.  To read the full press release, visit www.nichd.nih.gov/news/releases/july152008_physical_activity.cfm

Updated Information from NIHSenior Health
“Eating Well as You Get Older” is the latest resource on the NIHSenior Health Website.  “Eating Well as You Get Older” answers questions, such as “How should you eat as you get older?,” “Which foods are likely to keep you most healthy and which ones should you limit?,” “Is it possible to eat well and stay within a healthy weight?” Visit http://nihseniorhealth.gov/eatingwellasyougetolder/toc.html

And elsewhere…
Department of Agriculture

Child Nutrition Programs Reauthorization
Listening sessions on the 2009 Reauthorization of the Child Nutrition (CN) Programs are being held across the country. Programs include: WIC, National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program, WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, and Special Milk Program.
Participants can provide input or listen to concerns and suggestions from consumers.
    
Chicago, IL     Sept. 10, 2008  1 pm - 4 pm    
Denver, CO      Sept. 11, 2008  9 am - 1 pm    

For details on CN Reauthorization Listening Sessions, please visit http://www.fns.usda.gov/cga/Sessions/default.htm
Please address inquiries to the appropriate state or regional office of the program for which you would like additional information:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/contacts.htm

New Resources
The Food and Nutrition Information Center (FNIC) has recently updated several resource lists. 

• Food and Nutrition Fun 2008

• for Preschoolers  
• for Elementary Age Children  

• Cultural and Ethnic Food and Nutrition Education Materials: A Resource List for Educators 2008

These are available in PDF from FNIC’s website at the following URL: http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/resource_lists.shtml

Department of the Interior
“Let’s Go Outside for Health” is a new initiative from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  The purpose is to connect people, especially children to nature.  The goal of the initiative is to have 25,000 health professionals working with land management professionals and community organizations by 2010 to connect people to nature for their health and for environmental stewardship.  More information about the initiative can be found at www.fws.gov/children/letsgohoutsideforhealth.html 

Department of Transportation (DOT)
DOT issued the Interim Report to the U.S. Congress on the Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program SAFETEA-LU Section 1807.  The report highlights the efforts of four pilot cities to improve infrastructure in an effort to encourage more nonmotorized transportation among residents.  One of the evaluation metrics is to gauge the impact of the program on health via increased levels of physical activity.
To view more information about the program and to download a copy of the interim report, please visit www.smartmobility.us 

Healthy States Initiative
The Healthy States Initiative developed a new set of talking points for legislators on the topic of community wellness programs.  To view these and other health related talking points visit http://www.healthystates.csg.org/Publications/  

National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD)
Visit the NACDD’s funding opportunities page, which features a variety of announcements relating to various chronic disease areas including physical activity.  Visit www.chronicdisease.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3574

National Athletic Trainer’s Association (NATA)
NATA released a sports safety checklist for parents and coaches of young athletes participating in recreational or school sports programs.  Topics for consideration range from the financial requirement for participating safely in a sport to the development of an emergency action plan. The five page document can be downloaded at http://nata.org/youthsports/NATAcheklist9.pdf

School Nutrition Association
Well Done! School Nutrition Professionals Put Wellness Policies to Work contains stories and suggestions on implementing local school wellness policies.  The information is applicable to any school professional involved in the development or implementation of school wellness policies and includes stories on how school districts gained support among school staff, parents, and students; established nutrition education programs; and transformed school environments.  The booklet is $12 and can be ordered at www.schoolnutrition.org. 

Smart Growth Network
Local Governments and Schools: A Community-Oriented Approach provides strategies on how to bring together the planning efforts of local governments and schools in a way that meets multiple community goals.  Eight case studies detail the successful efforts to create community oriented schools. The publication is produced under a cooperative agreement between the
International City/County Management Association and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  The free publication can be downloaded at http://icma.org/main/ld.asp?ldid=20370&hsid=1&tpid=8

Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport
The Tucker Center issued the report, Developing Physically Active Girls: An Evidence-based Multidisciplinary Approach. The report is an update to the 1997 study on the role of sports and physical activity in the lives of girls, which it issued in partnership with the PCPFS.  The report notes that recent research supports the health benefits of sports, but also shows that girls continue to face obstacles on sociological and psychological levels that may prevent their participation in sports and physical activities.
To download a copy of the report, please visit http://cehd.umn.edu/tuckercenter/projects/TCRR/default.html

Trust for America’s Health (TFAH)
TFAH released Prevention for a Healthier America: Investments in Disease Prevention Yield Significant Savings, Stronger Communities.  The report finds that strategic investments in prevention efforts could yield a return of $5.60 for every $1.00 invested.  The report suggests that investments of $10 per person on proven community-based programs that increase physical activity, improve nutrition, and prevent smoking and other tobacco use could yield significant savings.  To read the report visit the TFAH Web site at www.healthyamericans.org.