FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
American On The Move Foundation Survey Shows Mothers Central To Kids' Health Choices; Capitol Hill Forum To Explore Solutions
Partnership with YMCA of the USA joins legislators, health experts and policy leaders
to discuss small changes and healthy lifestyles
WASHINGTON DC -- September 14, 2006 - Following yesterday's Institute of Medicine report, which found U.S. efforts to tackle child obesity are increasingly ineffective, today America On the Move Foundation (AOM) released results from a national survey that indicates mothers are key to creating a healthier America. The survey results—presented at The First Step Forum: Creating a Healthier America, a Capitol Hill panel discussion hosted by AOM and YMCA of the USA—show seven in 10 kids look to their mothers for information about healthy living.
“The fight against obesity in America begins at home,” said Jim Hill, Ph.D., co-founder of AOM and professor of pediatrics and medicine at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. “Our research shows that even while kids look to their moms as a key source of health information, more than half of them also worry about their parents’ weight. This creates unique motivation – for both mom and kids – to make small changes in their lives that will result in active, healthier, happier families.”
Today’s discussion is part of AOM’s Steptember initiative, a national grassroots movement that is the result of the collaboration of a diverse group of partners and stakeholders encouraging Americans to live healthier lives. Panelists focused on how every facet of the community can, based on the survey results, begin activating solutions to address soaring U.S. obesity rates. Participants included:
- Moderator Abby Ellin, New York Times contributor and author of Teenage Waistland: A Former Fat Kid Weighs in on Living Large, Losing Weight and How Parents Can (and Can’t) Help
- Janet Collins, Ph.D., Director, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
- James O. Hill, Ph.D., Chair and Co-founder of AOM
- Neil J. Nicoll, President and Chief Executive Officer of YMCA of the USA
- Marcy Ross, a mother from Hillsdale, NY
- Aaron James Alexander Thomas, III, National Urban League
- Dr. Michelle May, M.D., Founder and Director of Am I Hungry? Multidimensional Weight Management Program
- Charles Kamasaki, National Council of La Raza
“With 60 million adults—30 percent of the U.S. population—and nine million children obese or overweight, increasing physical activity among our children and families today is more important than ever,” said Neil J. Nicoll, president and CEO of YMCA of the USA. “For more than 150 years, YMCAs have been helping Americans achieve health of spirit, mind and body. But we are called to do more—and YMCAs are doing more through our YMCA Activate America initiative—and we are excited to have AOM as a valued partner in promoting healthy lifestyles in communities across the country.”
More than 1,100 YMCAs nationwide are hosting special activities during America On the Move Week, Sept. 23 to 30. As part of Steptember, AOM at the YMCA seeks to inspire individuals and families to incorporate healthier living activities into their daily routines to get them active and moving, with a goal of encouraging one billion steps during this one designated week.
AOM's national survey, conducted by Harris Interactive®, polled 1,487 youth, eight to 18 years of age, regarding their attitudes and views on healthy eating and regular physical activity. Results show:
- Our children are worried. A majority of kids (56%) worry a great deal or some about their parents’ weight and how it could affect their health. Additionally, more than half of kids eight to 18 years of age think that it is extremely or very important to know how to be a healthy weight (56%) and to get enough physical activity each day to be at healthy weight (51%). Four in ten kids think that it also is extremely or very important to know how to eat healthy and nutritious foods without too many calories from fat or sugar (42%).
- Many kids know what has to be done. When presented with statements about how people lose weight or stay a healthy weight, a majority of kids agree it’s important to eat healthy and get regular physical activity (73%). When asked how important it is for them that their parents have healthy practices, four in ten kids say it is extremely or very important that they and their parents eat healthy and nutritious foods without too many calories from fat or sugar (42% and 40%). Four in ten kids think it is extremely or very important that their parents be a healthy weight (40%), and 36% think it’s important that their parents get physical activity on a regular basis.
- Moms are the key. Seven in ten kids get their information about what to do to be healthy from their mom (71%). Kids also get information about what to do to be healthy from a doctor (54%) teachers or coaches at school (54%), from TV (44%), and from their dad (43%).
“This survey emphasizes the importance of surrounding our children with healthy living habits and messages,” said Janet Collins, Ph.D., Director, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “If from an early age kids learn how to live active, healthier lives, as adults they will be less at risk for chronic, obesity-related diseases.”
PepsiCo and its Smart Spot brands are supporting this effort as the National Presenting Sponsor of AOM and a national sponsor of YMCA Activate America. Today, more than 250 Smart Spot products are available Tropicana®, Aquafina®, Gatorade®, Baked! Lay’s®, Quaker Oats ® and Diet Pepsi® among others. Additional America On the Move Steptember sponsors include the Almond Board of California, LEAN CUISINE® and the SPLENDA® Brand.
About the Survey
Harris Interactive® conducted this survey on behalf of America On the Move Foundation from August 16-24, 2006, via its YouthQuery online omnibus service among 1,487 U.S. youth 8-18 years of age. Data were weighted to be representative of the total U.S. population of 8-18 year olds on the basis of region, age, gender, level of education, parents’ level of education, urbanicity, and race/ethnicity. With a pure probability sample of 1,487 one could say with a ninety-five percent probability that the overall results have a sampling error of +/- three percentage points. However that does not take other sources of error into account. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
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. For more information about Steptember and other free AOM programs, please visit: www.americaonthemove.org.
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.
About Harris Interactive
Harris Interactive is the 12th largest and fastest-growing market research firm in the world. The company provides research-driven insights and strategic advice to help its clients make more confident decisions which lead to measurable and enduring improvements in performance. Harris Interactive is widely known for The Harris Poll, one of the longest running, independent opinion polls and for pioneering online market research methods. The company has built what could conceivably be the world’s largest panel of survey respondents, the Harris Poll Online. Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its United States, Europe and Asia offices, its wholly-owned subsidiary Novatris in France and through a global network of independent market research firms. The service bureau, HISB, provides its market research industry clients with mixed-mode data collection, panel development services as well as syndicated and tracking research consultation. More information about Harris Interactive may be obtained at www.harrisinteractive.com.
CONTACTS
Jenni Brewer, 703-741-7047
jbrewer@golinharris.com