Dianne
S. Ward, Professor
Department of Nutrition, Gillings
School of Global Public Health
University of North Carolina
Which of the 8 Sectors
are you involved in and why did you choose that particular
sector?
Education Sector: I have a long history of working to promote physical activity in youth, working mostly in schools and childcare settings. Moreover, our children are our future.
What's most
exciting to you about the U.S. having a National Physical
Activity Plan?
We all know that regular physical activity is critical for healthy living, but simply encouraging healthy choices may not be enough. A National Physical Activity Plan will help address policies that make physical activity easier and provide environments that are settings where all Americans – young and old – can be active for a lifetime.
What will success
of the NPAP look like to you in 3 years, 5 years? 10 years?
In three years, organizations – public and private – will be talking among themselves about what can be done to make being physical active the easy choice. In five years, changes will begin to occur in schools, neighborhoods, and communities. In 10 years, we will effect a measurable change in the physical activity levels of the citizenry.