AIM Expands While Champion Walks His Way to Fitness

As AAFP president-elect in August 2003, Michael Fleming, M.D., of Shreveport, La., began a public effort to combat obesity in America, starting with himself. Two years later and 68 pounds lighter, Fleming says, "This has been a life-altering experience. My tailor thinks so, too!"

Fleming's clothes are getting their second round of alterations.

His patients are saying, "Doctor, if you can, I guess I can, too."

Fleming told the AAFP Congress of Delegates in September 2003 that he would try to model healthy behaviors for patients as part of the (then) fledgling Americans in Motion program. AIM is AAFP's fitness initiative that focuses on physical activity, good nutrition and emotional well-being. "Because of my commitment to AIM, there will be less of me to speak to you" at the 2004 Congress, he promised the delegates.

They cheered.

Fleming wrote Academy members, asking them to take the Fleming challenge to embrace a healthy lifestyle and promote AIM. Many family physicians, as well as their staff members, have joined AIM, becoming fitness role models for their patients.

In Young Harris, Ga., for a mid-August meeting of AAFP members, Fleming took a break to walk a local trail with an 800-foot rise in elevation. Fleming lasted two and three-fourths miles. "I could have gone farther," says Fleming. "Two years ago, I couldn't have thought of walking that trail."

Another plus: Two years ago, Fleming needed four blood pressure medications; now, he's down to one. In addition, he can talk from experience with people whose weight has plateaued even though they've continued their activity and healthy eating. "I've hit three plateaus," says Fleming. "It's frustrating. Now I know what my patients are going through."

Fleming took his personal campaign on the road, promoting AIM at chapter meetings and other organizations' conferences. "I cannot go to any meeting without someone coming up and saying they've started AIM also," says Fleming. "AIM has had a chance to change a lot of lives. You can talk to one person, and that person can change. But doctors can reach out and make a change in a whole community."

Organizations that are core supporters of AIM donate funds at three levels: silver, at least $50,000; gold, at least $100,000; and platinum, at least $250,000.

The National Dairy Council has supported AIM almost from its beginning, followed by Campbell Soup Co., McNeil Nutritionals LLC and the AAFP Foundation. New core supporters are McDonald's and PepsiCo Inc.

"Both McDonald's and PepsiCo are making an effort toward healthy food options," says Fleming, pointing out that McDonald's now offers low-fat foods and PepsiCo has its Smart Spot program, which uses a green spot to label some of its products, such as Quaker Oats, as food low in fat, cholesterol or sodium.

"These are international companies that reach millions of people every day," Fleming says.

After companies become core supporters, they can partner with AIM on products and projects, and they are doing so in activities such as

Companies collaborate with the Academy on AIM, says Fleming, because they appreciate family physicians' role in combating obesity. "They realize we're the real deal," he says.