President
George W. Bush starts the 3 mile run while Mrs. Bush, number 2, starts the 1.5 mile
walk at Ft. McNair as part of the President's Fitness Challenge on Saturday June 21, 2002.
White House photo by Paul Morse.
President Bush's Healthier US Initiative
On July 18, 2003, President Bush visited the Lakewest Family YMCA in Dallas,
Texas to highlight his HealthierUS initiative designed to help
Americans, especially children, live longer, better, and healthier
lives. The President's HealthierUS initiative helps Americans take
steps to improve personal health and fitness and encourages all
Americans to:
- Be physically active every day;
- Eat a nutritious diet;
- Get preventive screenings;
- and Make healthy choices.
The President was joined by members of the President's
Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, including football legend
Lynn Swann, Chair of the Council; and Olympic softball gold medalist
and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Dot Richardson, Vice Chair of the Council.
The Council promotes the President's message on fitness and health to
Americans of all ages and unveiled a new tool for Americans to
use to increase personal fitness and become healthier. The new
Presidential fitness challenge is easy to start and individuals can
track weekly fitness activities at the website
www.presidentschallenge.org .
Background on Today's Presidential Action
The four keys for a healthier America:
- Be Physically Active Every Day - Many chronic diseases can be prevented with modest exercise,
in some cases as simple as walking for half an hour. For example, if
just 10% of adults began walking regularly, America could save $5.6
billion in costs related to heart disease.
| ![Photo of foot peddling a bicycle.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20081101045353im_/http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/fitness/images/100-Recreation0609.jpg) |
- Eat a Nutritious Diet - Americans should make simple adjustments
to their diet and avoid excessive portions. Increasing fruit and
vegetable consumption is a central part of a healthier diet, and good
overall nutrition lowers the risk of getting heart disease, stroke,
cancer, and osteoporosis.
| ![Photo of fruits and vegetables.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20081101045353im_/http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/fitness/images/100-Food158.jpg) |
- Get Preventive Screenings - Americans may be surprised to learn
how a simple test like a cholesterol screen or a blood pressure
check can reveal current health status and identify a need to adjust
diet or behavior.
| ![Photo of blood pressure equipment.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20081101045353im_/http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/fitness/images/100-Medical032.jpg) |
- Make Healthy Choices - Avoid tobacco and drugs as well as the
abuse and underage use of alcohol and make smart and safe choices
in your everyday life.
| ![Photo of Bike Crossing Sign.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20081101045353im_/http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/fitness/images/100-Recreation1559.jpg) |
Steps to a HealthierUS
Obesity, diabetes, and asthma are some
of the most prevalent and costly chronic health problems facing the
nation. Increased exercise and better nutrition are simple
measures that can prevent or delay many chronic diseases. The
Steps to a HealthierUS program will fund innovative
community-based programs that seek to adopt proven measures to reduce
the burden of obesity, diabetes, and asthma-related
complications, with a particular focus on youth. The President's
2004 budget requests $125 million for Steps to a HealthierUS.
The President's Challenge - www.presidentschallenge.org
Over the
past year, the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports has
worked to create a new, more widely accessible President's Challenge
awards program. The Council has set the goal of attracting an
additional 20 million Americans to physical fitness and
exercise. Using www.presidentschallenge.org, the new
President's Challenge allows individuals to track weekly fitness
activities, and receive Presidential fitness awards for achieving
defined fitness goals.
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