Physical Activity and Nutrition
The Physical Activity and Nutrition (PAN) program’s mission is to coordinate and promote physical activity and nutrition-related activities that help all Alaskans live active, healthy and happy lives.
Alaskans can prevent many diseases and early deaths, protect their health, and improve their quality of life by being physically active and eating and drinking healthy foods and drinks. Being active,
eating well, and
cutting back on sugary drinks can decrease the risk of diseases like type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease, depression, some cancers, and dementia. Yet most Alaskans do not get the recommended amount of physical activity, and too few are meeting the dietary guidelines for good health.
Our program:
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Helps young Alaskans
grow up healthy by improving physical activity
and nutrition in schools and early child care programs,
and by increasing access to breastfeeding support services for Alaska families. -
Supports Alaskans to make healthier food and drink choices easier by working with community partners across the state to improve access to fruits and vegetables and other nutritious foods and drinks.
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Helps Alaskans be physically active by creating more walkable and rollable communities across Alaska.
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Educates the public through the
Play Every Day and
Fresh Start campaigns on ways to protect health across the lifespan though nutrition and physical activity promotion.
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Collects,
evaluates and reports on chronic disease trends, healthy weight status, and physical activity and nutrition behaviors among children and adults.
Individuals, communities and schools can do the following:
Support Alaskans to adopt healthy habits that can support good health and improved quality of life:
Join our partnership with
Healthy Futures, so more elementary schools participate and more children log their daily physical activity and build the healthy habit of staying active.
Sign up for a
free
Fresh Start program that can help you or a loved one lose weight, prevent or manage diabetes, lower blood pressure and reduce your chances of dementia.
Talk with your health care provider about ways to be more physically active and eat and drink healthier foods and drinks.
Encourage breastfeeding by
establishing breastfeeding-friendly spaces at community events, childcare facilities, and workplaces.
Professionals who promote physical activity and nutrition can do the following:
Implement strategies that have been proven to increase physical activity and healthy eating: