Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
7/30/03
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Ruth Litchfield, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, (515)-294-9484,
litch@iastate.edu
Elaine Edwards, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515)-294-5168,
eedwards@iastate.edu
Diane Nelson, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515)-294-3178,
dinelsoniastate.edu
ISU Extension Takes Lighten Up Iowa to the State Fair
AMES, Iowa - Fried Snickers, chocolate-dipped cheesecake, fried cheese, caramel apple --what is your favorite food-on-a-stick at the Iowa State Fair? Does it taste so good you would be willing to walk from Ames to Spencer to burn off the calories it provides?
"Fair food is fun food, so we thought we'd have some fun comparing the estimated calories from several fair food choices," said Ruth Litchfield, Iowa State University Extension nutrition specialist. "As part of our Lighten Up Iowa campaign, we also measured the distances between several fair destinations so visitors can 'earn' their treats if they want to."
A walking map of the fairground, as well as information about fair food calories and general food portion sizes will be available in the ISU Extension booth under the northeast corner of the grandstand. Displays compare typical portion sizes from the 1950s with today. Visitors also can test their knowledge of serving sizes through several activities.
"I hope visitors leave our booth with a better understanding of the recommended portion sizes for different food groups, as well as how their own current eating habits compare," said Litchfield. "Portion size and activity level are two critical components for successful Lighten Up Iowa teams."
The January through June Lighten Up Iowa campaign encouraged Iowans to develop healthy lifestyles and eating habits with the ultimate goal of losing weight. This year's participants lost more than 47,000 pounds and walked or ran 2.6 million miles.
"That's the equivalent of losing 78 Iowa State Fair butter cows and walking around the earth 108 times," said Litchfield.
Lighten Up Iowa is sponsored by the Iowa Games, the Iowa Department of Public Health and ISU Extension. New youth and Hispanic components are planned for the 2004 event.
Also on display will be photo collages honoring the centennial of Iowa State University Extension activities.
"This year, Iowa State University is celebrating the role Extension has played for 100 years in helping Iowa become the best," said Elaine Edwards, ISU Extension communication manager. "With a presence in every county, innovative uses of communication technology and extensive partnerships, Extension works to improve the quality of life in Iowa."
The Iowa State Fair runs from August 7-17. The fair grounds are on East University Avenue in Des Moines.
Food for thought - you will need to walk 5 1/2 miles for that fried Snickers bar!
-30-
ml: imajor
Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.