It's time to 'walk the talk' and lead healthier lives, says Fleming

Sept. 30 - Oct. 2, 2003

ASSEMBLY EDITION • NEW ORLEANS

It's time to 'walk the talk' and lead healthier lives, says Fleming

BY TONI LAPP

Delegates applauded on Tuesday after President-elect Michael Fleming, M.D., announced his personal commitment to modeling healthy behaviors as part of the Acaemy's new Americans in Motion initiative. "There will be less of me to speak to you" at the 2004 Assembly, he told the Congress of Delegates.

It's going to take a new AAFP to meet the challenges of modern health care, AAFP President-elect Michael Fleming, M.D., of Shreveport, La., told the Congress of Delegates on Tuesday.

The Academy has many items on its agenda as it moves forward, he said, ticking off such issues as the Medicare fee update, the Future of Family Medicine project and the health of state chapters.

Add to this list the Academy's interest in improving public health.

In fact, it's going to take attitude to address that interest, Fleming said.

Then he told the Congress about a fledgling program -- complete with that attitude-- that AAFP hopes will address its interest in public health and, specifically, the epidemic of obesity.

That program is Americans in Motion, a new 10-year initiative of the AAFP Commission on Public Health.

"AIM will give family physicians tools to help their patients, their families and their communities fight obesity," he said.

Join fight against obesity

A unique component of AIM is that first, it will challenge family physicians themselves to lead healthier lives. Fleming announced his own goal to "walk the talk" when it comes to health and fitness.

"I am making a personal commitment to accept that (AIM) challenge," he said. "I have committed our Academy to act -- to join in the fight against the epidemic of obesity. I urge each of you to join me. Be a role model for your patients, your family and your community by living a healthier life."

With Fleming's acceptance of the challenge, the first phase of the program was set into action: that FPs themselves will model healthy behaviors.

Fleming said he wasn't taking the challenge lightly: "Because of my commitment to AIM, there will be less of me to speak to you" at the 2004 Assembly.

Get involved now

Want to take the AIM challenge yourself? Take these three steps:

Participate in a body mass index screening opportunity here at the Scientific Assembly. Scale maker Tanita, an exhibitor, is offering free pedometers to AAFP members who participate in the screening study that will be used to help develop tools to be offered by AIM. Stop by Tanita's exhibit, Booth 1355 in the Morial Convention Center Exposition Hall, to learn more.
Visit the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Web site at http://www.presidentschallenge.org to sign up for the council's "president's challenge" and to track your daily fitness efforts in a personal log.
Then, click on the "Walk the Talk" button at the AAFP Web site, http://www.aafp.org, and let Fleming know you've taken the challenge. The "Walk the Talk button will be live as of 4 p.m. today.

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