Host of "America's Walking" to give free presentation in TC

A television show host who is one of the nation's most entertaining advocates of walking will give a free public presentation as part of the 3rd Annual Northern Michigan Health & Weight Management Conference in Traverse City.

The conference, "Creating Healthier Communities: Separating Fact from Fiction," will feature Mark Fenton, the host of the PBS television series "America's Walking." Fenton's presentation is titled "The Power of Walking: Personal, Family, and Community," and will be held on Thursday, Oct. 17, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Olesen Center at Northwestern Michigan College.

Fenton is also the author of "The Complete Guide to Walking for Health, Weight Loss, and Fitness." He's a physical activity program director at the University of North Carolina's Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center. His entertaining, persuasive and knowledgeable presentations make him one of the nation's foremost experts on walking. His work has led to numerous publications related to exercise science, human performance, and athletic footwear.

In addition to being a speaker and motivator on fitness issues, Fenton has also become a vocal pedestrian advocate and a recognized authority on public health issues. He is an active supporter for community, environmental, and public policy initiatives to encourage more walking and bicycling.

Also speaking at the free presentation is Zonya Foco, RD. Her presentation is called "As the Pendulum Swings: Stop the Diet Extremes and Create the Body You Crave," and will begin at 7:45 p.m. at the Olesen Center. Her vocal and visual presentations are all geared toward "helping people make their good intentions come true." Her approach is not about strict eating or fanatic exercise. Instead, she focuses on manageable change, substitutions and choices for people looking to create balance in their lives, or those looking to counter problems with weight, cholesterol, blood pressure or diabetes.

The free presentations are being sponsored by the Fitness Council of Northern Michigan, the North Central Council of Hospitals, the American Heart Association of Michigan, the Tip of Michigan Diabetes Outreach Network, Leelanau Memorial Health Center, Munson Healthcare, and Mercy Health Services North-Cadillac.

For more information, call John Tune of CML Public Relations at (231) 922-6782.

posted 10/17/2002