Hearts n' Parks.

The National Recreation and Park Association and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute joined with a host of others on Tuesday, July 18, to launch Hearts n' Parks, a national, community-based program, in Arlington, Va. The program targets reducing the growing trend of obesity and the risk of coronary heart disease in the United States by encouraging Americans of all ages to engage in regular physical activity, follow a heart-healthy diet, and aim for a healthy weight.

Co-sponsored by the Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation and Community Resources, the event began with a news conference featuring U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher, NHLBI Director Dr. Claude Lenfant, NRPA President-Elect Alice Conkey, Arlington County Board Chair Barbara Favola, and Olympic champion figure skater Michael Weiss, a Northern Virginia native.

Afterwards, people of all ages participated in healthy-cooking demonstrations, jump rope and relay race competitions, and blood pressure screenings. The local Fresh Fields store provided box lunches for all participants, and the American Heart Association, Arlington County 4-H and Cooperative Extension Service, Arlington Hospital, Georgetown and George Washington University women's volleyball teams, and the U.S. Tennis Association all provided demonstrations and exhibits.

Hearts n' Parks combines science-based information about lifestyle choices that can reduce one's risk of heart disease with the skills for incorporating heart-healthy behaviors into one's life as part of the regular activities offered by local park and recreation departments and other community-based agencies. In addition, the program provides useful tools for measuring the impact of these activities.

"Physical inactivity and poor nutrition are second only to smoking as leading causes of death," said Satcher. "We spend a lot of money in this country treating diseases such as heart disease and cancer. What we want to do is spend more time encouraging people to stay healthy so that we can prevent disease. It's important for everyone to have a schedule of physical activity and a diet high in fruits and grains."

The primary goal of Hearts n' Parks is to reduce the growing trend of overweight and obese children and adults in the United States. The Arlington Hearts n' Parks program will include activities that promote heart-healthy eating in existing elementary after-school and playground camp programs and senior programs.

"It's estimated that 192 million people visit public parks every year," said Conkey. "Parks and recreation facilities are where Americans come out to play, and NRPA is thrilled to launch this landmark community-based initiative to increase the levels of leisure-time physical activity, improve nutritional practices, and promote healthy lifestyles."

The Hearts n' Parks program was piloted last summer in 12 communities with 33 sites in North Carolina, and attracted more than 2,000 participants. An evaluation revealed that participants retained information about heart-healthy behaviors and intended to eat healthier, children learned new physical activities and improved their performance in others, and seniors felt healthier and experienced less daily pain.

"If you've got healthy and active kids, that means they're going to grow up and be healthy and active adults," said Weiss, who directs programs for the Fairfax Ice Arena. "And that's what we need. Parents have a huge influence on what their kids do. We need to get them out and take them to soccer practice, take them to the playground. A healthy lifestyle is a fun lifestyle."

To date, nearly 90 park and recreation agencies in more than 35 states have expressed interest in becoming Hearts n' Parks communities.

"Hearts n' Parks is about empowering communities and individuals to embrace a more happy and healthy lifestyle," said Conkey. "It's a natural way to showcase the benefits of a healthy community and an active lifestyle, and NRPA is privileged to be part of this important public health effort."