| America On The Move |
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As a national program dedicated to supporting healthy eating and active living habits in American society, the program’s core message is for people to move more and eat more healthfully. Specifically, the recommendation is to move 2000 more steps each day which is the equivalent of one mile and to consume 100 fewer calories each day. Studies show that the 1-2 pound weight creep experienced by most Americans each year, can be prevented if they will follow these two simple changes. The program’s core message for legislators, then, is to make the two small changes to move more and eat more healthfully during their day to prevent the weight gain often experienced while in session. Additionally, through participation in environmental audits, legislators will increase their awareness of changes necessary to support a more healthful lifestyle. These small behavioral and environmental changes can then be modeled to constituents who can be encouraged to do the same. America On the Move is a web based program that allows individuals to track their progress and receive daily tips for motivation. The AOM website not only offers tracking nutrition information, the ability to select a buddy for motivation, and references to other related websites and topics. This approach provides the participant with support and positive feedback to help sustain the small changes until the small behavior changes have become habits. |
