The important relationship between physical activity and a healthful lifestyle has been emphasized recently by health professionals, and strongly supported by documents such as the
Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health. As such, it is more important than ever that physical activity and nutrition professionals work together to help consumers realize the potential benefits of these healthful practices.
As a first step in achieving this goal, in 1997 the International Food Information Council, the American College of Sports Medicine and The American Dietetic Association formed a partnership to assess the attitudes, activities, and information sources and needs of nutrition and physical activity professionals responsible for communicating the important balance between good nutrition and physical activity to achieve effective weight management and an overall healthful lifestyle.
The resulting Gallup survey of 623 fitness and nutrition professionals is summarized in the article, "For a healthful lifestyle: Promoting cooperation among nutrition professionals and physical activity professionals," published in the August 1999 issue of the Journal of The American Dietetic Association (JADA).
The findings show the importance of communication between dietitians and physical activity professionals and the value of increased use and sharing of existing resource materials of both disciplines to further mutual goals.
