This is one of a series of periodic news updates and perspectives from the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition (ACFN) on programs to help Americans adopt and maintain healthier lifestyles.

We hope the information offered here adds value to your work. If you have any questions, please respond to this e-mail or call (800) 953-1700.

During the recent holidays, The American Council for Fitness and Nutrition chairperson Dr. Susan Finn provided the public with helpful tips for surviving the season that for many marks a difficult time to maintain healthy habits.

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PE4life recently obtained a $150,000 grant from The Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas. The grant will support the development of a new PE4life Academy training site at Kirksey Middle School in Rogers, Arkansas.

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The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) has announced its "Understanding Obesity" brochure series as a teaching tool for people wanting to have a better understanding of obesity, morbid obesity and childhood obesity.

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Shaping America's Youth (SAY) has announced its secondary survey of programs addressing overweight, poor nutrition and physical inactivity among today's youth.

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The importance of physical education for children is the main topic of a new class offered by Harvard Professor Dr. John Ratey. "Harnessing the Psychiatric Effects of Exercise" will be offered for a second time starting in March, due to high demand after its first run last year.

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The National Association for Health and Fitness (NAHF) will hold its 30th Annual Conference, entitled "States Unite for a Healthy and Fit America!," on April 26-28, 2007 in Buena Park, California. NAHF has partnered with the California Governor's Council to host the event, which will aim to empower health and fitness stakeholders to share best practices and ideas for addressing the challenges of creating a more physically active nation, reducing obesity and building healthy communities. Registration for the NAHF conference is open to all interested organizations, health and fitness professionals and community leaders.

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The U.S. Department of Education has announced that no new PEP grant applications for the Carol M. White Physical Education Program will be accepted in 2007 because of the large number of high quality applications received last year, enough for two years of awards. The Department is currently looking at potential new awards and reviewing budget requests, and hopes to announce new grant awards for this program in late spring or early summer 2007. Details will be posted on the U.S. Department of Education's Carol M. White Physical Education Program Web page.

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During the week of April 23-29, 2007, the Medical Fitness Association (MFA) will be sponsoring the Third Annual Medical Fitness Week and Walking Challenge, "70,000 Steps in 7 Days," to promote increasing physical activity and adopting healthier lifestyles. The Walking Challenge encourages local communities to strive for 70,000 steps in seven days. The community who achieves the most steps in the seven days will receive national recognition. All funds raised through the challenge are donated by the participants to local programs and scholarship funds that support the fight against obesity or other health related issues.

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It is important to ACFN to keep our members, supporters and friends abreast of the work we do, as well as of other important developments in the nationwide effort to improve Americans' fitness and nutrition. If your e-mail box has a spam filter, please adjust it to allow these e-mails to reach you. Or add the address quicknews@acfn.org to your address list.

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As always, ACFN appreciates your interest in our work toward creating a healthier America.