MEDIA CONTACT: Lee Hobson, (919) 765.7008; lee@beactivenc.org

Be Active North Carolina Named top State Physical Activity Organization

CHAPEL HILL - Be Active North Carolina (Be Active) is the nation's best statewide organization for health and physical activity, according to The National Association for Health and Fitness (NAHF).

Be Active received the honor during the NAHF's recent annual conference in Buena Park, Ca. In attendance were health and fitness professionals from around the country.

In naming Be Active North Carolina, NAHF officials praised the organization for being a model, leader and innovator in promoting physical activity.

"The breadth and effectiveness of Be Active's programs; its commitment to working with the local school systems; its support of efforts to create and protect green space; its involvement with NAHF's national initiatives; and the range of collaborative relationships throughout North Carolina inspired the award presentation," said Phil Haberstro, executive director of the NAHF.

NAHF officials also had plenty of praise for a groundbreaking 2005 report to examine the impact of physical inactivity and unhealthy lifestyles on the state economy. The study, called "The Economic Cost of Unhealthy Lifestyles in North Carolina," analyzed North Carolinians' inactivity, unhealthy lifestyle choices and the resulting economic cost of such behavior. The report concluded that the costs related to adult factors are estimated to be $24.1 billion, while childhood costs are estimated at $38 million annually. Without improvement, the childhood costs alone will rise to an expected $57 million by 2008.

"The NAHF award helps demonstrate that Be Active North Carolina's strategy of focusing on people, programs and policies is making a difference," said Tina Shanahan, president and CEO of Be Active North Carolina. "We're honored to receive such high praise. We consider ourselves a leader in the statewide movement toward better health and greater physical activity - and it's an honor to receive this award and be acknowledged as a national leader as well."

Based in Chapel Hill, Be Active North Carolina is the state's premier non-profit organization devoted to physical activity and healthy lifestyles. It operates programs in each of the state's 100 counties.

The group's comprehensive strategies take into account the social, political, cultural, environmental, organizational, and interpersonal influences that mold a person's habits regarding physical activity. To create genuine change, Be Active North Carolina addresses these challenges by focusing on three primary areas: people, programs, and policies.

Haberstro also lauded Be Active for its firm commitment to the residents of North Carolina. "North Carolina is fortunate to have Be Active," he said. "Be Active North Carolina makes a genuine difference in the lives of citizens and is a model for states throughout the nation."

Some specific Be Active North Carolina programs cited by the NAHF include:

• Be Active Ambassadors engages high-profile athletes - such as figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi and her husband, Bret Hedican of the Carolina Hurricanes - to promote fitness and healthy lifestyles.
• The Health Active Children Teacher Training is helping 50,000 classroom teachers in North Carolina integrate physical activity into their daily lesson plans.
• · The Be Active Van engages citizens in physical activity and shares educational information at community events across the state.
• The Be Active - Appalachian Partnership is a collaboration between Be Active North Carolina and Appalachian State University to provide the western portion of North Carolina with more health and fitness programs and opportunities.
• Be Active Kids teaches 4-and 5-year-olds in over 6,000 childcare centers proper nutrition, physical activity and food safety.
• Grants totaling over $100,000 have been distributed to schools and community organizations working on grassroots programs.
• Active Steps is a popular walking program through which participants accumulate steps with pedometers, then log them on the Be Active website.

"We know Be Active North Carolina is making great strides in our state," said Carla Daniel, who chairs Be Active North Carolina's board. "We are proud to serve as a national model and look forward to sharing future successes with states across the country."

To learn more about Be Active North Carolina and its programs please visit www.beactivenc.org.

National Association for Health & Fitness is a nonprofit organization that exists to improve the quality of life for individuals in the United States through the promotion of physical fitness, sports and healthy lifestyles. More information is available at www.physicalfitness.org.

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