AAFCS to Address Obesity Epidemic at June 23-26 Conference in Minneapolis
More than 1,100 family and consumer sciences professionals (FCS), public health professionals, dieticians, psychologists, sociologists, and other professionals will come together to discuss the obesity crisis at the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) 96th Annual Conference & Expo, June 23 – June 26, 2005, at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, MN. The conference will feature keynote addresses, workshops, and educational sessions on obesity-related topics, as well as an exciting Expo with more than 50 exhibitors.
Alexandria, VA (PRWEB) June 13, 2005 -- Why is obesity increasing at epidemic
proportions in the U.S.? How can professionals from different disciplines work
together to fight this epidemic and prevent more Americans from becoming
overweight or obese? What are the safest and most effective ways for those who
are overweight or obese to reach a healthy weight? More than 1,100 family and
consumer sciences professionals (FCS), public health professionals, dieticians,
psychologists, sociologists, and others will address these questions at the
American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) 96th Annual
Conference & Expo, Sizing Up America: Obesity Causes, Effects, and
Solutions, June 23 – June 26, 2005, at the Minneapolis Convention Center in
Minneapolis, MN.
Several compelling and informative keynote speakers have
been invited to present the latest obesity-related research, provide possible
solutions to the obesity epidemic, and show how the increase in obesity among
Americans has had an impact on areas such as children’s health, older Americans,
city planning, and apparel sizing. During the opening general session, Zonya
Foco, RD, CSP, author, speaker, and TV personality on “Zonya’s Health Bites,”
will demonstrate how making a small change can have major long-term health
benefits during her presentation entitled, “Empowering American Families with
the Power of One Good Habit.”
On Summit Day, Friday, June 24, Dr. Sarah
Lee, health scientist at the Centers for Disease Control, will present, “Healthy
Eating-Healthy Weights-Healthy Futures: Doing Our Part for the Adults of
Tomorrow,” and focus more on how to prevent overweight and obesity among
children. Following Lee’s presentation, there will be six concurrent
obesity-related workshops, a presentation from the USDA on MyPyramid, the new
food guidance system, and a diet panel discussion moderated by Dr. Carolyn
Bednar, CFCS, professor and chair, Department of Nutrition and Food Science,
Texas Woman’s University. Dr. Michael Zemel’s closing address will emphasize the
new research on calcium’s role in controlling fat cell metabolism in both
children and adults. Then Dr. Mary McKenna, health scientist at the Centers for
Disease Control, will wrap up Summit Day with conference participants.
On Saturday, June 25, conference participants may choose from a variety
of cutting-edge workshops and educational sessions on many obesity-related
topics. For example, participants can learn how to enable individuals to take
control of eating habits, design spaces to improve health and well-being, and
use peer education to promote healthy choices in adolescents.
Improving
the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities has always
been a top priority for AAFCS and its members. Many AAFCS members are LifeSkills
secondary school educators who teach about nutrition and making healthy
lifestyle choices, while other members are dieticians or professors of
nutrition. FCS professionals are needed now more than ever to help fight the
current obesity epidemic.
During the conference, AAFCS will recognize
the contributions of outstanding FCS professionals and other organizations or
individuals who have improved the lives of individuals, families, and
communities. Ann Anderson will receive the AAFCS 2005 National Teacher of the
Year award for her hands-on LifeSkills program, “Hotel and Restaurant Management
I and II,” which provides eleventh and twelfth graders with a one- to two-year
internship in the hospitality industry at the Hyatt Regency Dallas. The
Honorable Tony Knowles, former governor of Alaska, will be recognized as the
AAFCS 2005 Friend of the Family for his efforts to expand access to quality and
affordable health care and nutrition, health, and education programs to
thousands of Alaskans. For their dedication to developing healthier food
products and providing nutritional information to consumers, Generals Mills will
be honored with the AAFCS 2005 21st Century Community Champion
award.
“AAFCS is taking the lead in bringing people together from a broad
spectrum of professions to network and share information about the obesity
crisis in the U.S. A multidisciplinary approach may bring about new solutions or
approaches to fighting this epidemic,” noted Karen S. Tucker Thomas, CAE,
executive director of AAFCS.”
The conference features an exciting Expo
with more than 50 exhibitors and special events. As a special note, five of
AAFCS’ loyal exhibitors have exhibited for more than 60 years, and twenty-two of
AAFCS’ exhibitors have been participating in the Expo for more than 15 years.
There will also be many newcomers, including the USDA Food Safety Mobile, an
educational program of the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. The USDA
Food Safety Mobile staff will demonstrate safe food handling techniques and play
food safety games with the attendees. During lunch in the Expo, participants can
“let their hair down” and rock to the 60s with Beehive, who performs hits from
female soloists and “girl groups,” including the Supremes, Tina Turner, Aretha
Franklin, and Janis Joplin. Beehive is sponsored by Learning Zone Express, a
Minneapolis-based company that develops, collects, and sells FCS teaching
materials.
About AAFCS
Founded in 1909, AAFCS is the only
not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to bringing people together to
improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities. AAFCS’ 9,000
members are elementary, secondary, and post-secondary educators, researchers,
and administrators; cooperative extension educators; and other professionals in
business and industry, not-for-profit organizations, and government. These
professionals develop, integrate, and provide practical knowledge about
LifeSkills—dietetics and nutrition; financial literacy; child care and
parenting; conflict resolution; consumer education; housing and environment; and
apparel and textiles.
Editors Note: Speakers and awardees are available
for interviews by telephone before or in person during the conference. Please
contact Gwynn Mason at 703-706-4600 or e-mail protected from spam bots.
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/6/prweb250334.htm