PHIT America Celebrates Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation’s 5th Anniversary
In celebration of Healthy Weight Commitment’s five-year anniversary, we’re spotlighting a few of the partners who joined forces with the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation in an effort to reduce the childhood obesity. These partners helped us achieve a 6.4 trillion reduction in calories from the marketplace, supported families in achieving energy balance, and reached nearly 15 million students with our Energy Balance 101 curriculum. Learn more about how PHIT America has partnered with the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation in the video and Q&A below with Cameron Jacobs, Sponsor Relations, Research & Social Media
Tell us about yourself and PHIT America
I am a former college athlete who has experienced firsthand the power and influence physical activity can have on one’s life. It literally can transform someone—from their health to their mindset to their mood—it is truly incredible! That being said, I am lucky enough to represent PHIT America whose mission is to defeat the sedentary crisis, increase sports and fitness participation, and keep structured PE in our schools. As an organization we work toward defeating the inactivity pandemic by: 1.) Awareness- spreading the importance of physical activity and the dramatic consequences of inactivity through bi-weekly publications. 2.) Grassroots- we acknowledge that true change starts at the local level so our grassroots programs are incredibly important to our success. At PHIT America we have various grassroots programs from PHIT America Ambassadors to Fitness Challenges for towns & cities. 3.) Legislative Affairs- PHIT America actively lobbies members of Congress on two pro-activity pieces of legislation. The Carol M. White PEP Program which keeps structured PE in our schools and the PHIT Act which allows you to use your FSA/HSAs account on physical activity expenses, effectively removing the financial barrier of getting physically active. To learn more about PHIT America or to be part of the movement visit us at www.phitamerica.org.
How did you first get involved with the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation?
PHIT America first got involved with HWCF when we met at the Touch Endocrinology conference discussing noninvasive ways to combat diabetes. From there, it was apparent that we needed to work together on our common goals.
Why is this partnership so unique?
This partnership is so unique because of its innocence and transparency. There is no financial gain through our partnership or political advantages, but we are working on something bigger than ourselves that will make our nation a better place. HWCF has the incredible ability of bringing together a plethora of very different organizations to work toward a common goal.
What are some of your biggest accomplishments over the last five years?
It has only been a little over two years since our launch but PHIT America has accomplished a lot in such a little time. The creation of “Doctors for a PHIT America”, a unique coalition of medical professionals who truly recognize the power of activity, has been a huge success. PHIT America has been lucky enough to gain 28 dedicated celebrity athletes & reach 150 sponsors while tripling the amount of grassroots Ambassadors. Through the help of Mizuno & Titan Team Sports, the Get PHIT 5K & Fun Run was a huge hit in Atlanta. Lastly, through our grants to Kids In The Game, we know we are giving deserving children the gift of physical activity and that is what we are all about.
How do you see your organization playing a role in the mission to reduce child-hood obesity in the future?
PHIT America will play a vital role in this mission by continuing to keep structured Physical Education in our children’s schools, which as we know will keep them active and healthy as they grow older. We also believe by removing the financial barrier of physical activity expenses, more and more children will have opportunities to be active & stay active.