Getting America On the Move

In response to the growing obesity issues in the U.S., the America On the MoveR(AOM) initiative was created to help Americans incorporate healthier lifestyle practices. AOM offers a free, science-based weight management program at www.AmericaOntheMove.org. AOM gives people the tools and support they need to increase their physical activity, improve their eating choices, and take action in their communities to promote environments that foster and sustain a healthy weight. By focusing on both the individual and the community, AOM strives to support and sustain healthy eating and active living habits in our society.

AOM has several goals, including:

• Inspiring Americans to engage in fun, simple ways to become more active, eat more healthfully and, as a result achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
• Creating a grassroots network of health-promoting communities that support and inspire individual behavior and community changes.
• Managing a strong AOM national research network, comprised of its academic partners, its public-private Board of Directors, and other researchers leading the nation in healthy living;
• Encouraging public and private partnerships at the national, state, and local levels to build the capacity, reach, and support needed for individual and community behavior change.

The Challenge
The eating and physical activity patterns of most Americans have become cause for concern.. More than 60% of American adults do not get the recommended 30 minutes of physical activity a day and 25% of American adults are not physically active at all. More than 120 million Americans—65% of the adult population—are overweight and almost 1 in 3 Americans, or 59 million, are obese. On average, Americans are gaining one to two pounds each year, and some are gaining even more.

The Solution
America On the Move research has demonstrated that most Americans can stop weight gain by making simple changes each day. Walking an extra 2000 steps each day, and eating 100 fewer calories each day is enough for most Americans to create a balance between energy expenditure and calorie consumption and sufficient to stop the current average rate of weight gain of one to two pounds per year. (Science, Feb. 7, 2003).

PepsiCo is proud to be the National Presenting Sponsor of America On the Move.
For more information and to register for the free America On the Move program, visit www.americaonthemove.org

Quote from AOM participant
"By making small changes to my lifestyle, I have maintained and lost weight. Thank you AOM for giving me an added incentive and encouragement to maintain a healthy lifestyle."
--50-year-old man from South Carolina