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Forward Initiative to reverse obesity kicks off March 13
Fri February 26, 2010
News media calls to David Hass at (630) 682-7979, ext. 7374.
Excitement builds as DuPage County's FORWARD Initiative to reverse the trend of obesity kicks off March 13
Whole Foods Market Wheaton hosts event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Excitement is building among a coalition of community partners as the FORWARD Initiative to stop obesity among DuPage County children and families plans its kick-off event on March 13 at Whole Foods Market in Wheaton.
A diverse coalition of more than 90 organizations is uniting to introduce FORWARD to all DuPage County residents with a fun-filled day of healthy eating and physical activity demonstrations to promote healthy lifestyles.
Whole Foods Market will be bustling with opportunities to sample healthy foods and get nutrition advice. Children, families and people of all ages can take part in fun physical activity demonstrations and learn from enthusiastic FORWARD partners about how to improve your health and well-being.
The FORWARD (Fighting Obesity and Reaching healthy Weight Among Residents of DuPage) Initiative provides leadership and promotes wellness by putting the spotlight on the alarming trend that one in three children and nearly half of all adults are overweight or obese.
Among the highlights for March 13:
- FORWARD activities that will inform people of all ages (and create smiling faces) throughout the store from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- A Northern Illinois Food Bank truck will be onsite to accept community donations
- A noon press conference with Whole Foods making a donation to FORWARD.
- An appearance by DuPage County's own "NBC Biggest Loser" Couple Jerry and Estella Hayes during the noon presentation.
- Announcement of FORWARD's first group of Student Health Champions who will advise FORWARD on how this anti-obesity effort can promote wellness among young people.
- Prizes, massages and much more.
The FORWARD campaign has been building a community foundation for more than a year now, said Ann Marchetti, consulting director of the initiative. She said FORWARD partners were delighted to learn of the just announced national campaign against obesity "Let's Move" headed by First Lady Michelle Obama.
"The leadership that FORWARD is providing with our coalition partners in DuPage County is directly in line with the First Lady's campaign. It has taken this country over 40 years to get this way; it will take a broad coalition of partners dedicating their time and talents for at least the next decade to help us reverse the trend," said Marchetti. "Our motto is Together We Will."
"You are invited to add your passion for healthier lifestyles to the FORWARD Initiative," she added. "Come to Whole Foods on March 13 and become a part of FORWARD."
For more information about FORWARD visit: www.forwarddupage.org or contact FORWARD at (630) 221-7037 or forward@dupagehealth.org
Download pdf of news article here.