American Association for Active Lifestyles and Fitness urges employers to steer

clear of device that hinders employee’s opportunities to stay active on the job

RESTON, VA – The American Association for Active Lifestyles and Fitness (AAALF) calls the release of the new “IT” personal scooter vehicle a “serious setback to nationwide efforts to educate Americans about the dangers of physical inactivity and obesity.” AAALF, a national educational association that promotes healthy and active lifestyles for all Americans throughout the lifespan, warns that widespread popularity of the new gimmick could mean that millions of Americans who currently rely on walking or biking as both a form of transportation and fitness will now forgo such daily activity. Furthermore, AAALF predicts that the device will become another excuse for the majority of insufficiently active Americans looking to avoid moderate exercise.

"Inventions like 'IT' are largely to blame for the increasing obesity epidemic in America," said Dr. Janet Seaman, executive director of the American Association for Active Lifestyles and Fitness (AAALF). "As we have moved from a work environment requiring physical labor to a work environment in which people are more sedentary and have less need to be physically active, we Americans have not kept up with substituting other physical activity into our daily lives. Consequently, our activity level has gotten out of balance with our food intake."

The U.S. Surgeon General’s 1996 report on Physical Activity and Health, a landmark compilation of decades of research on physical activity and health, found that physical inactivity is a serious, nationwide problem with more than 60 percent of adults failing to achieve the recommended amount of physical activity and more than 25 percent of adults reporting no regular physical activity at all. The report also found that nearly half of young people aged 12-21 are not vigorously active on a regular basis and that only 19 percent of all high school students are enrolled in physical education classes every day of the school week.

“Any marketing campaign that claims ‘it’s got motors that do what your muscles do and “tires that do what your feet do for you’ should be seen as a threat to efforts to improve the health of our population,” Seaman added. “These claims may be true to the extent that “IT” propels you from one place to another. As far as the health benefits from walking is concerned, the device is counter-productive. You must really use your legs and feet to actually build strength and stamina.”

"As we approach the holiday season when our eating patterns change and our 'free time' is consumed with holiday preparations and celebrations, AAALF encourages all Americans to make conscious attempts to maximize opportunities for exercise and to stay away from those devices and environments that promote inactivity and overeating. The best gift you could give yourself and your loved ones this holiday season is a commitment to physical activity and healthy behaviors to improve and lengthen your life." Seaman said.

AAALF promotes active lifestyles and fitness for all individuals by serving professionals and educators in the physical activity field. AAALF is a national association of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD).

###