FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
American On The Move And More Than 900 YMCAs Kick Off Steptember 2006
More than 1,000 events across the country celebrate healthy living and active lifestyles
BOSTON -- September 1, 2006 - Today, America On the Move Foundation® (AOM) and YMCA of the USA’s Activate America™ kicked off Steptember 2006, a month-long campaign that encourages Americans to make small changes to live healthier, instead of employing fad diets and other temporary fixes to lose weight.
This sustained, national effort celebrates AOM’s flagship program, America On the Move (AOM), which today is a nationwide movement of people—everyday citizens, YMCAs and community organizations, corporate America, Members of Congress, governors, and healthcare providers, individuals, and families—who understand the “secret” to losing weight and staying healthy is to take small steps, not giant leaps.
“Steptember is an exciting way for people from across the country to take control of their health with every step,” said James O. Hill, Ph.D., AOM co-founder and professor of pediatrics and medicine at the University of Colorado and Health Sciences Center. “AOM looks to the community to help tackle the obesity epidemic. If every American takes a few small steps toward healthy living in September, our nation will be much healthier—by October!”
AOM programs encourage people to move more and eat smart by making two small daily changes:
- Take 2,000 more steps (about 1 mile)
- Eat 100 fewer calories (about a tablespoon of butter)
From September 23 to 30, more than 900 YMCAs across the country will participate in AOM 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, Steptember activities include:
- Community Involvement. In addition to local YMCAs, thousands of existing AOM organizations (worksites, faith-based organizations, community groups, etc.) will host 2,000-step activities.
- Celebrating Steptember: A Healthy Living Forum—On September 14, AOM and the YMCA, along with other legislators, will host a panel discussion on Capitol Hill. The event joins policymakers, AOM and YMCA leaders, healthcare providers, and AOM participants to discuss healthy living and small lifestyle changes, as well as the obesity epidemic and policy implications.
- New Data about Healthy Living. AOM will announce the results of a national poll with new information and trends about women, families and healthy lifestyles.
- AOM Kids Fund. AOM will launch the AOM Kids Fund, which supports research and programs to fight childhood obesity.
“As YMCAs ramp up efforts to encourage healthier lifestyles, we are thrilled to join AOM in celebrating Steptember,” said Neil Nicoll, CEO of YMCA of the USA. “The small changes message is one we believe in and are happy to deliver to the thousands of communities that YMCAs serve.”
PepsiCo and its Smart Spot products are supporting this effort as the National Presenting Sponsor of AOM 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.
Additional America On the Move Steptember sponsors include the Almond Board of California, LEAN CUISINE®, and SPLENDA.®
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 (AOM) 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 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. AOM’s National Presenting Sponsor is PepsiCo and its Smart Spot products. AOM’s national sponsors include the Almond Board of California, LEAN CUISINE®, and SPLENDA®.
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.
CONTACTS
Elly Spinweber 703-741-7513
espinweber@golinharris.com
Leah Cunningham Pouw 312-419-8325
leah.pouw@ymca.net