President’s Council on Physical Fitness & Sports
ACE joined forces with the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS) in 2002. The partnership has combined ACE’s Power of Prevention (POP) Campaign with the President’s Challenge to increase physical fitness among Americans and decrease the obesity epidemic. The PCPFS’s President’s Challenge Program serves as the physical activity/fitness component of the POP campaign. ACE is proud to have the PCPFS co-sponsoring the handout “Rx for Physical Activity,” which outline how physical activity can be incorporated into children’s lives. This partnership also re-enforces the importance of AACE members working with their legislative officials when presenting POP to schools in the community.

The purpose of the PCPFS is to advise the President through the Secretary of Health and Human Services about physical activity, fitness, and sports in America, and to recommend programs to promote the health, fitness and well being of the nation through the President’s Healthier US initiative. Working with public and private sector partners and co-sponsors, the Council stresses the importance of regular physical activity, including sports participation, for Americans of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. Through its programs, activities, partnerships, publications, and web sites, the Council promotes moderate daily physical activity for disease prevention and health, vigorous physical activity for fitness and added health benefits, and sports participation, including the values of sportsmanship.

The President’s Challenge is the cornerstone and longest running program of the Council. The President’s Challenge began as a fitness recognition program for school-aged children administered by teachers and others who work with youth (e.g. scouts, boys and girls clubs, YMCA/YWCA). The program now also recognizes adults as well as children for physical activity through the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA) and the Presidential Champions award. An interactive website (www.presidentschallenge.org) allows participants to log on and track their physical activities while working towards presidential awards.

To take part in the President’s Challenge or to learn more please visit www.presidentschallenge.org.

Action for Healthy Kids

ACE has recently decided to partner the Power of Prevention Through Fitness and Nutrition (POP) initiative with Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK).  This partnership will allow greater opportunities for our members to make a positive impact on the growing epidemic of childhood obesity.  AFHK was formed in response to this epidemic and has mobilized 51 State Teams—one in each of the 50 states plus the District of Columbia—to support its groundbreaking nationwide initiative launched at the Healthy Schools Summit in Washington, DC, in October 2002.  The Founding Chair of the AFHK initiative, which is dedicated to promoting better nutrition and physical activity in schools, is former U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher, MD, PhD, one of the nation’s leading health experts.

ACE is proud to be one of more than 50 national organizations and government agencies serving as a Partner Steering Committee member and providing guidance on the AFHK initiative. As a member of AACE, we hope you contribute to the growth and success of the AFHK initiative in your state. AFHK State Teams are working to initiate and sustain action at the state, school district, and building level. This is an excellent opportunity for our members to lend their expertise in the care of endocrine disorders, such as diabetes and obesity, to take an active role in helping to improve children’s nutrition and physical activity in the school districts in your state.

The AFHK website—http://www.actionforhealthykids.org—gives you immediate access to everything you need to get involved and stay informed.  Visit the “State-by-State Action” section that will take you directly to news about your AFHK State Team. Learn how you can get involved and join a state team by clicking on “Learn How You Can Help”.