The University of Arizona will celebrate the establishment of the Center for Physical Activity and Nutrition with a reception and program on Thursday, April 8, from 4 to 6 p.m., at the Stevie Eller Dance Theatre on the UA Main Campus.
The center is a collaboration between the UA Colleges of Medicine and Agriculture and Life Sciences.


The center is dedicated to improving the quality of life and longevity of people and communities in Arizona and the United States through physical activity and nutrition research, education and services.



"Physical inactivity and unhealthy nutritional practices are root causes of chronic diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and some forms of cancer," says Timothy G. Lohman, director of the Center for Physical Activity and Nutrition (CPAN) and UA professor of physiology and public health. "The consequences - poor health, increasing disability, loss of independence, poor quality of life and premature death are severe. The cost in pain, suffering and medical expenditures both in Arizona and across the nation, is staggering, reaching $117 billion dollars and causing 400,000 deaths in the United States annually. The good news is that healthy physical activity and nutritional practices can help reverse these trends."
CPAN evolved from several National Institutes of Health research grants over the past 20 years that funded UA studies of the effects of physical activity and nutrition on body composition and health. Follow-up studies over two to eight years showed that healthy physical activity and nutrition practices had specific beneficial long-term effects on disease prevention.
"CPAN will provide state-of-the-art exercise and nutrition research and education programs and will develop facilities to foster future cutting-edge research on the impact of physical activity and nutrition on health and wellbeing," says Lohman. "By bringing together scientists, educators, health care professionals and community leaders, CPAN will lead the way in advancing the understanding of the long-term effects of physical activity and proper nutrition on health promotion and disease prevention, and will translate new discoveries into individual and community programs."
CPAN collaborators include the UA departments of nutritional sciences, orthopedic surgery, neurology and physiology; UA Cooperative Extension; and the Arizona Arthritis Center, Arizona Cancer Center, Arizona Center on Aging, Sarver Heart Center, Steele Memorial Children's Research Center and UA National Center of Excellence in Women's Health. The Mel and Enid Zuckerman Arizona College of Public Health is an affiliate.
CPAN team members already have developed and implemented several innovative programs that promote healthy long-term physical activity and nutrition practices to improve the health of children, adolescents and young and older adults, including:
Tucson Challenge. A community-based physical activity and weight-loss project providing skill development and social support to help Tucsonans adopt healthy lifestyle habits and increase physical activity levels.


Bone, Estrogen, Strength Training (BEST). This six-year study investigated the effects of hormone replacement therapy, calcium supplementation and exercise on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women. The BEST Exercise Program for Osteoporosis Prevention book is providing continuing education for health professionals.
Adequate Calcium Today (ACT). This multi-center study to improve calcium intake and bone health and reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis among Asian, Caucasian and Hispanic adolescent girls incorporates DVD and CD-ROM-based calcium education into school curriculums.
Osteoporosis Risk Factor Study. Designed to determine the potential risk factors for development of osteoporosis in adult women and men, the results of this study will help provide access to a lower cost alternative for assessing personal risk for osteoporosis.


Bone Builders. This Community Health Advancement Partnership (CHAPs) osteoporosis prevention education program trains volunteers to educate women and older men about changing their diet and exercise habits to reduce their osteoporosis risk.
Body Image Study. This study is examining the relationship between adult men's and women's perception of a healthy body and actual body composition and gives participants an opportunity to assess health risks associated with his/her personal body composition.


Adolescent Obesity Prevention. This study promotes the maintenance of a healthy weight among young adolescents to reduce their risk for developing adolescent and adult obesity.


Yuma on the Move. This CHAPs project targeting residents in Yuma promotes increased physical activity through public service announcements, walking groups, worksite challenges, health fairs and community events.
Trial of Activity for Adolescent Girls (TAAG). TAAG will test the hypothesis that a school-based and community-linked program can prevent the decline in physical activity and cardio respiratory fitness that commonly occurs in middle school girls.


Pyramid Power. This collaborative research project tests the effectiveness of a coordinated school and home-based program to prevent the decline of physical activity in adolescent girls and boys.


Sports Fitness Web Site-Based Nutrition Education. This CHAPs project offers research-based sports nutrition education to help health and fitness professionals use nutrition to maximize exercise performance and promote optimal health.
Walk Across Arizona. This CHAPs project develops and maintains walking clubs throughout Arizona to increase physical activity levels.


STEPS. Initiated by the Mel and Enid Zuckerman Arizona College of Public Health in collaboration with the Arizona Cooperative Extension, this program is designed to improve prevention and control of diabetes mellitus in Arizona border populations.


Osteoarthritis Study. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of a long-term program of exercise and self-management on improving physical function in men and women with early osteoarthritis of the knee.


Rheumatoid Arthritis Study. This study will assess a four month supervised, individualized, strength-training exercise program in men and women with rheumatoid arthritis who are taking Remicade.


Healthy Weight for Life (HW4L). This recently completed study involving peri-menopausal women employed a 16-week weight-loss program followed by a weight-gain prevention program using the Internet as support.


Pathways. This nationwide study tested a school-based program focused on preventing obesity in pre-adolescent Native Americans to prevent obesity-associated health risks in adulthood.
Living Well in Green Valley. This CHAPs project promoted maintenance of successful aging through a six-week wellness program.


The Stevie Eller Dance Theatre is located just east of the Gittings Building at 1713 E. University Blvd., on the University of Arizona main campus.