President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Launches Interactive Web Site; Program Makes It Easier to Get Active and Fit

7/18/2003

From: Joey King of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, 202-690-5181, or Janice Meer of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, 202-690-5179, jmeer@osophs.dhhs.gov

WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Lynn Swann, chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, launched http://www.presidentschallenge.org, a new interactive Web site to help all Americans build a regular physical activity routine, today in Dallas.

"We need to find ways to keep kids and families interested in getting physically active. By allowing people to chart success and receive awards, we are taking steps to build a healthier U.S.," HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson said. "I congratulate the members of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports for their quick response to the President's call for Americans to be physically active every day."

The new Web site is a motivational tool to help all Americans become active and fit. Increasingly, Americans are going to the Internet for health information, and http://www.presidentschallenge.org is an easy, no cost, and fun-to-use way to become active today.

Chairman Swann launched the new online tool at the Lakewest Family YMCA in advance of President Bush's HealthierUS fitness event at the center. Swann and other members of the Council demonstrated the free, easy-to-use Web site to youth attending Lakewest's summer programs. The online tool tracks a person's progress toward earning Presidential awards for active lifestyles and physical fitness.

The new Web site is in response to President Bush and Secretary Thompson's growing concern for the health of Americans in the wake of a continuing rise in the prevalence of obesity. Nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults are overweight or obese, and 15 percent of children are overweight.

Last summer, President Bush appointed Swann, a sports broadcaster, former Pittsburgh Steeler and NFL Hall of Fame member, to lead the 20-member Council. "We are making this powerful new tool available to all Americans," Swann said. "It can help people be healthy, active and fit for the rest of their lives. The http://www.presidentschallenge.org Web site is for families, schools, businesses, organizations and individuals who want to be active or motivate others to become physically active for health, as well as for those who are already active, to help them attain the highest possible fitness level."

Here's how the new Web site works: log on to http://www.presidentschallenge.org, select an age category - Kids, Teens, Adults or Seniors - and register as an individual or part of a group. Choose from over 100 physical activities listed and start tracking daily efforts in a private log. If a person remains on the site for more than a few minutes, a message appears to log off and start moving.

Everyone can work toward a Presidential Active Lifestyle Award by participating in regular physical activity five days a week for six weeks. Adults should be active for at least 30 minutes of daily activity, and children for at least 60 minutes each day. Those who don't use the Internet can earn the award by filling in a paper log. Americans who are already physically active can earn the new Presidential Champions award online. Points are earned by logging in each activity. Participants can work toward a Bronze, Silver or Gold award.

President Bush and Secretary Thompson initiated the HealthierUS and Steps to a HealthierUS initiatives to urge Americans to make modest changes in their behavior and stress the importance of receiving preventive health care. Scientific research has shown physical inactivity contributes to obesity, one of the most serious chronic health conditions threatening the nation today. The problem of overweight or obese Americans cost an estimated $117 billion in 2000 and accounts for at least 14 percent, or 300,000 deaths in the U.S. each year.