FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
YMCA and America On The Move Launch Steptember initiative
Unique partnership will promote healthy lifestyle changes to combat obesity epidemic
BOSTON -- August 22, 2006 - Today, America On the Move Foundation® (AOM) and YMCA of the USA’s Activate America™ initiative announced a national partnership to motivate and mobilize thousands of Americans to take small steps toward a healthier lifestyle. This partnership kicks off with this fall’s Steptember campaign, a month long celebration which will encourage all Americans to visit their local YMCAs and to participate in America On the Move programs.
PepsiCo and its Smart Spot products are supporting this effort as the National Presenting Sponsor of America On the Move and the national sponsor of YMCA Activate America. Today, more than 250 Smart Spot products are available including Gatorade, Aquafina, Tropicana, Quaker Oats, Baked! Lay’s and Diet Pepsi among others.
“Steptember is a national movement. It encourages communities—individuals, organizations, families, companies, and leaders—to take small steps to eat smart and move more,” said James O. Hill, Ph.D., AOM co-founder and professor of pediatrics and medicine at the University of Colorado and Health Sciences Center. “Research has proven that Americans can help maintain a healthy weight by cutting 100 calories and taking 2,000 extra steps each day. Small lifestyle changes can have a big impact on the overall health of a community.”
Steptember activities will take place locally and nationally throughout September 2006. From September 23 to 30, over 800 YMCAs across the country will participate in America On the Move Week at the YMCA, where they will host activities that inspire individuals and families to take small steps and get active. In addition to events at local YMCAs, during Steptember:
- On September 14, AOM and the YMCA will host Celebrating Steptember: A Healthy Living Forum, in Washington, D.C. The Capitol Hill event will bring together policymakers, AOM and YMCA leaders, healthcare providers, and AOM participants to discuss healthy living and small lifestyle changes, and the obesity epidemic and policy implications.
- Thousands of existing AOM organizations (worksites, faith-based organizations, community groups, etc.) will host 2,000-step activities.
- AOM will announce the results of a national poll with new information and trends about women, families and healthy lifestyles.
- Fortune 500 CEOs will call on their employees to get involved in Steptember by directing them to AOM’s Web site and encouraging their participation in hundreds of local events.
- AOM will launch the AOM Kids Fund, which supports research and programs to fight childhood obesity.
“YMCAs across the country are intensifying their efforts to promote healthier lifestyles among kids, adults, and families as a part of our Activate America initiative,” said Neil Nicoll, CEO of YMCA of the USA. “Steptember’s AOM Week at the YMCA is an important part of these efforts and we are pleased to bring the small changes message to the thousands of communities that YMCAs serve.”
For more information about AOM, Steptember, and a list of events near you, please visit www.americaonthemove.org or call 1-800-807-0077.
About America On the Move Foundation
America On the Move Foundation is a national nonprofit helping individuals, families and communities across our nation make positive changes to improve the health and quality of life. Through its programs and outreach, America On the Move (AOM) initiates and maintains meaningful and measurable 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. AOM programs are available for free at www.americaonthemove.org for individuals, families, communities, employer groups, health care professionals, schools and other organizations.
About YMCA Activate America
The nation’s 2,617 YMCAs serve more than 20.2 million people each year, including 9.5 million children, uniting men, women and children of all ages, faiths, backgrounds, abilities and income levels. From urban areas to small towns, YMCAs are a place for people to belong, serving America’s children, families and communities for over 150 years by “building healthy spirit, mind and body for all.” Visit www.ymca.net to find your local YMCA.
YMCA Activate America™ is 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 community wide efforts to promote healthy living and intensifying their collaboration with other community partners to magnify their impact.
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®, Aquafina®, Gatorade®, Baked! Lay’s®, Quaker Oats ® and Diet Pepsi® among others.
CONTACTS
Elly Spinweber 703-741-7513
espinweber@golinharris.com
Leah Cunningham Pouw 312-419-8325
leah.pouw@ymca.net