(DURHAM, June 5, 2007) - LiveFIT NH, New Hampshire Public Television's community engagement project, was awarded a 2007 Outstanding Achievement Award for Physical Activity and Health from the New Hampshire Governor's Council on Physical Activity and Health. The award recognizes NHPTV and the LiveFIT NH project for making "a significant impact on the health of New Hampshire residents by promoting healthy lifestyles through physical activity and fitness programs."LiveFIT NH focuses on encouraging healthy eating and physical activity in children and adults to reduce the incidence of childhood obesity, which has become an epidemic in the U.S. With its partner organizations statewide, the two-year LiveFIT NH initiative uses NH OUTLOOK television segments, educational and outreach activities, and online resources (at www.nhptv.org/livefitnh) to demonstrate how individuals, families, schools and communities can combat obesity trends. "NHPTV acted as convener for this community outreach campaign, using its broadcast capacity and educational outreach services to bring awareness and information to tens of thousands of New Hampshire households. Projects such as LiveFIT NH are part of our commitment to improving life for Granite Staters of all ages," said Peter Frid, CEO and General Manager of NHPTV. "The LiveFIT NH project exemplifies the power of collaboration between media and community organizations to effect positive change in our region."NH OUTLOOK, NHPTV's public affairs program, has aired LiveFIT NH segments on healthy snacks and brown bag lunches, physical education in schools, food labels, fighting heart disease, healthy fast food choices, Type 2 diabetes and diets. LiveFIT NH invites everyone to "Take the LiveFIT NH Challenge" by adding six activities to their lifestyle: Get Moving; Eat A Rainbow; Be Whole; Rush to Brush; Drink an Ocean; and Explore NH! A series of six "Fit Tip" health breaks based on these six Challenges is airing on NHPTV to reinforce these messages."Family Health Nights" held around the state by NHPTV's Ready to Learn program provide information on nutrition, exercise, and fun activities for children, educators, parents and caregivers. In addition, Ready To Learn offers a workshop entitled, "Recipe for Health: Nutrition, Exercise and Children" for adults. "We're deeply grateful to the 16 LiveFIT NH partner organizations throughout NH who collaborated with us, shared their knowledge about the rising crisis of childhood obesity in the Granite State, and who have continued to take an active role in this community outreach effort," said Lynn Zuccarelli Austin, community outreach coordinator and project manager for LiveFIT NH. The LiveFIT NH community partners include:Ellen Shemitz, President, Children's Alliance of NH Dr. Mary McGowan, Cholesterol Treatment Center, Concord Hospital Mary Vallier-Kaplan, Vice President of Program, Endowment for Health Shawn LaFrance, Executive Director, Foundation for Healthy Communities Susan Bunting, President and CEO, Foundation for Seacoast Health Sandra Van Scoyoc, President, HNHfoundation Gail Clark, Director of Development and Community Relations, Littleton Hospital Katherine Rannie, School Health Services Consultant, NH Department of Education Dr. Charles Cappetta, President, NH Pediatric Society Johanna Booth-Miner, Past President, NH Association for the Education of Young Children Joan Ascheim, Bureau Chief, Bureau of Policy & Performance Mgt., NH Department of Health and Human Services Tamara Martin, Chairperson, NH Healthy Schools Coalition Martha McLeod, Executive Director, North Country Health Consortium Joe Drake, Special Projects Coordinator, Plus Time NH Charlene Baxter, Program Leader, Family and Consumer Resources, UNH Cooperative Extension Dr. Susan Lynch, First Lady of NH, Walk NH The LiveFIT NH initiative is generously funded by the Endowment for Health, Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare Foundation, HNHfoundation, Byrne Foundation, Baldwin Foundation, Hilda & Preston Davis Foundation, A Market Natural Foods, Northeast Delta Dental, National Center for Outreach, and Children's Hospital at Dartmouth.The New Hampshire Governor's Council on Physical Activity and Health was formed in 1991 by Executive Order of Governor, Judd Gregg. The Council's mission is to promote a healthy lifestyle for all NH residents with a special emphasis on children and youth. Since its founding, the Council has advocated for legislation, written white papers and developed programs and events with the goal of improving the physical health of NH's residents.
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