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The First Lady Puts ABOUT IHRSA

Founded in 1981, the

Fitness First International Health, Racquet

& Sportsclub Association
(IHRSA) is a nonprofit associa-
tion representing more than
Michelle Obama fights childhood obesity with “Let’s Move!” 9,800 health clubs worldwide.
IHRSA and its member clubs
are dedicated to making the
simple choices in order to improve their
world healthier through regular
family’s health. These include limiting time exercise and fitness promotion.
spent watching television, mandating “out-
door” time, and preparing healthy food to CEO & PRESIDENT
take to school. Joe Moore
I applaud the first lady for taking on a prob- BOARD OF DIRECTORS
lem that, while serious and growing, can David Patchell-Evans,
actually be solved — or at least greatly miti- Chairperson
gated — through simple, commonsense action. Goodlife Fitness Clubs
Children look to adults, especially their Lynne Brick
parents, as role models. When we incorporate Brick Bodies Fitness
exercise into our daily lives, we are showing Rick Beusman
kids how to make wise choices for themselves. Saw Mill Club
Healthier, more physically fit kids are Bob Shoulders
also smarter kids. An expanding body of Fayetteville Athletic Club
research shows that exercise improves brain Mike Raymond
performance by boosting memory and Curves International
cognitive processing speed. Susan Cooper
Since the days of Eleanor Roosevelt, it has been We can ignore the warning signs and the BodyBusiness Health Club & Spa
customary for the first lady to choose an issue facts at hand, and continue to raise a genera- Art Curtis
about which she cares deeply and use her tion of overweight and obese children, who Millennium Partners
unique position to raise public awareness. In will suffer a lifetime of health problems. As Sports Club Management
the 1980s, Nancy Reagan made headlines with they grow, their brains and bodies will be Sandy Hoeffer
her “Just Say No” anti-drug campaign. (I can’t denied the countless benefits attributed to Western Athletic Clubs
say it was taken too seriously by my classmates, being physically active, and they may never Chuck Runyon
but at least it was easy to remember!) reach their full potential. Anytime Fitness
Earlier this year, First Lady Michelle Obama On the other hand, we could take steps David Hardy
launched an ambitious campaign to combat (pun intended) to ensure that we raise a Club Fit Corp.
childhood obesity, called “Let’s Move!” It has generation of more active, healthier, happier Fitness Industry
Council of Canada
four principal goals: educating parents about and smarter children.
the importance of proper nutrition and exer- The choice is clear. Let’s Move! Let’s Get Kilian Fisher
ILAM - Ireland
cise for their families; reducing fat, sugar and Active!
processed foods in meals; making nutritious Kay Yuspeh
Leisure Sports
food more accessible; and increasing the
emphasis on physical education. Yours in health, Bill McBride
The stakes are high. One in three American Club One
kids is overweight or obese, and the United Gene LaMott, Ex-Officio
States spends $150 billion a year treating TW Holdings
obesity-related illnesses. Jay Ablondi SPECIAL ADVISOR
“We want to eliminate this problem … in Publisher LATIN AMERICA
a generation,” Mrs. Obama said in unveiling Richard Bilton
the program on ABC’s “Good Morning Companhia Athletica
America.” As parents of two young girls, P.S. For a wealth of ideas about living healthier,
she and President Obama have made some visit letsmove.gov.

S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 0 9 | GET ACTIVE! 3