Summary: Iowa has set a goal to become the healthiest state in the nation in the next five years. Scientists at Iowa State are helping to lead the charge by promoting an "Exercise is Medicine" campaign designed to educate Americans about the health benefits of exercise. The challenge is implementing solutions that initiate movement into the work and home environment.  Iowa State's Nutrition and Wellness Research Center has launched the largest study yet which will involve more than 1500 students and faculty members using an innovative tool that promotes movement: the TrekDesk Treadmill Desks. The Center has just recently reported preliminary findings on the first phase of this research.

Physical inactivity may be America's largest public health nemesis, contributing to a myriad of chronic diseases including obesity, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, depression and anxiety, arthritis, and osteoporosis. Since the average American walks less than half the amount of steps necessary to maintain health and prevent disease, a major challenge is getting office workers and students moving in an increasingly sedentary work environment. Researchers at Iowa State University have just released preliminary findings of a large scale study designed to test the merits of one potential solution: TrekDesk treadmill desks.

The research project is coordinated by a team at Iowa State's Nutrition and Wellness Research Center (NWRC) led by Dr. Greg Welk, Director of Clinical Research and Community Outreach. The team launched a campus wide campaign to promote interest and involvement in physical activity and a key part of their programming involved re-engineering work/ study environments with the use of TrekDesk Treadmill Desks combined with Lfespan treadmills provided by 2^nd Wind.

"We have TrekDesks in use at numerous universities across the country", stated TrekDesk CEO Steve Bordley, "many are conducting studies on a variety of health and productivity issues, however the scale of the Iowa State study, when completed, will be larger than all of the other studies combined. I think that shows extraordinary leadership and commitment to their goal of educating America about its current health challenges and offering life changing information and solutions."

The TrekDesk study is part of Iowa State's commitment to the national "Exercise is Medicine" campaign, an effort coordinated by the American College of Sports Medicine and other leading health and fitness organizations to educate the public and medical professionals about the need to view exercise as a vital sign.

The NWRC created a plan that enables the TrekDesks to be piloted in departments and office units across campus. Dr. Welk commented, "Our staff have really enjoyed the opportunities to use the TrekDesks in our facility so we worked out a way to promote shared use across campus." Over 35 other office groups are in line to participate in the three phased testing process.  "The interest has been incredible", Dr. Welk said. "We have a waiting list through April of next year which indicates that people are really interested in ways of being more active at work."

Logging the use of the TrekDesks over specific time intervals, Dr. Welk and his team has focused the study on evaluating patterns and perceptions of use as well as overall satisfaction with the concept of walking while working. Their hope initially is to gain an insight into how to effectively introduce physical activity and at what intervals into the workplace for maximum health benefits.

The study has completed two waves and is currently in the third wave.  The first two waves covered the following departments and offices: Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development, College of Human Sciences Dean's Office, Kinesiology, President's Office, Administrative Services, Sociology, College of Design and Chemistry.

Approximately 82% of survey respondents indicated that they would recommend the TrekDesk and 73% agreed that the university should consider getting TrekDesks for their employees. It should be noted that the TrekDesks were placed in common areas of the offices so that many individuals could have access during the day as opposed to specific offices.  Some specific findings are highlighted below:

• Frequency of use: The majority of survey respondents (57%) used the TrekDesk Treadmill Desks for 15-30 minute sessions. Approximately 27% used it for 30 minutes to an hour while an equal amount (8%) either used it for less than 15 minutes or for an hour or more.

• Longevity: Over the initial 30 day test phase, 58% of the respondents reported that their use of the TrekDesk either increased in duration or stayed the same while 42% experienced a decrease in use over this time frame.

• Ease of Use: A majority of respondents rated typical office duties ranging from typing, writing, and talking on the phone as easily accomplished tasks.

• Overall Feelings: Respondents reported generally positive feelings after use (e.g. increased energy) and few negative side-effects (e.g. tiredness, , nausea and light-headedness).

The promotion of physical activity at work may help to counter the impact of sedentary jobs and lifestyles in our society. During the 1960's approximately 11% of Americans were overweight but that number is teetering close to 70% today.  At an estimated annual cost of $150 billion annually obesity is recognized as public enemy number one (contributing to more than 58 chronic diseases including the nation's top three killers: heart disease, stroke and cancer).

"The obesity epidemic gets considerable attention in society but the real problem is an epidemic of inactivity" says Dr. Welk. "People have emphasized losing weight but many health problems can be drastically reduced by increasing levels of physical activity and minimizing sedentary time". The study at Iowa State University demonstrates an interest in more active workstations and work environments. "There is clearly no silver bullet but efforts to promote more physical activity at work are certainly part of the solution."

For More Information:

Gregory Welk, Ph.D., Associate Professor - Dept. of Kinesiology

Director of Clinical Research and Community Outreach - Nutrition and Wellness Research Center

Iowa State University

2325 North Loop Drive - Suite 6100

Ames, IA 50011

515-294-3583

gwelk@iastate.edu

Hundreds More Jobs to Result from Administration's Announcement of $38 Million in Capital Funding for Phase II of Moline Campus Expansion

MOLINE - January 17, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today joined local officials at Western Illinois University (WIU) to open the $18.4 million "Building One" at the school's Riverfront Campus in Moline, a facility that will house the university's undergraduate programs in the Quad Cities. In his third visit to the campus since the project was announced, Governor Quinn also announced the release of an additional $38 million in state capital funds for the next phase of the Moline campus expansion that will create hundreds of jobs and triple university enrollment when complete. The Governor stood alongside WIU President Jack Thomas to open the new building and announce additional funding.

"Investing in higher education is one of the best investments a state can make because jobs follow brainpower," Governor Quinn said. "The Riverfront Campus will help create jobs now and help students and communities by creating economic and job opportunities for generations to come."

The $18.4 million "Building One" project transformed the former John Deere Technical Center, donated to WIU by the John Deere Corporation, into the new Riverfront Campus. The two-story, 60,300-square-foot energy-efficient and environmentally friendly building will be submitted for a LEED Silver designation and includes new classrooms, instructional and computer laboratories, offices, faculty and student lounges, and a reception and work area. The project was supported by a $12.5 million investment from Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! capital program and created approximately 125 construction jobs. It was administered by the Capital Development Board, which oversees state-funded, non-road construction projects.

Governor Quinn's announcement today of $38 million in new construction funding will support Phase II of the Riverfront Campus project, which includes a new classroom and administrative building. This expansion is expected to create more than 260 construction jobs. Bidding is scheduled for June 2012 with completion by mid-2014.

Despite having a regional population of more than 350,000 people, WIU-Quad Cities is the only public university in northwestern Illinois. The expansion is expected to generate a construction impact in excess of $125 million and support more than 100 permanent new jobs at WIU-Quad Cities.

"We are the only public university in the Quad Cities, and today's announcement for Phase II of the Riverfront Campus means expanded public higher education opportunities for the residents of the region," said WIU President Jack Thomas. "We remain committed to providing outstanding educational experience to the Quad Cities and we are excited about the prospect of moving forward with Phase 2 of the Riverfront Campus."

According to the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs, the annual economic impact of WIU-Quad Cities with a current enrollment of 1,360 students and 100 faculty and staff is over $10 million annually. A new 3,000-student, three-building campus will raise that value to more than $50 million annually and will double the number of college graduates to 500 annually.

Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! program includes $1.5 billion for higher education, including $788 million for public universities and $400 million for community colleges. The overall $30 billion program is expected to create 439,000 construction jobs.

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Checkoff farmer-leaders select nine Clean Cities coalitions to help promote biodiesel, Bioheat ST. LOUIS (January 17, 2012) - Americans from the mid-Atlantic to the Northwest will soon be hearing a lot more about why they should use soy biodiesel?if they aren't already.

The United Soybean Board (USB) and soybean checkoff have announced the participants in the 2012 biodiesel and Bioheat® communications program, which helps cities across the United States spread the word about the only commercially available advanced biofuel.

The soybean checkoff will partner with nine U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)-affiliated "Clean Cities" coalitions to increase the availability and use of soy biodiesel and heating-oil-alternative Bioheat through promotion and education. The Clean Cities program serves as a government-industry partnership sponsored by DOE and has more than 90 local chapters across the United States. These chapters work in their local areas to reduce petroleum consumption.

"Clean Cities coalitions are really great organizations," says Mike Beard, USB director and soybean farmer from Frankfort, Ind. "This program helps them, and it helps us to get the word out about clean, efficient soy biodiesel."

This year, checkoff farmer-leaders committed nearly $200,000 to assist these chapters with various biodiesel and Bioheat projects. USB funding will assist Clean Cities across the United States in communicating the benefits of soy biodiesel and Bioheat through radio public service announcements, outdoor advertising, informational workshops for energy users and distributors, promotional events, and many other activities.  

Clean Cities Coalitions participating in the 2012 reimbursement program include :
·    Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition (partnering with Alabama Soybean Producers)
·    Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition (partnering with Maryland Soybean Board)
·    Iowa Clean Cities (partnering with Iowa Soybean Association)
·    Kansas City Regional Clean Cities Coalition (partnering with Kansas Soybean Commission)
·    North Dakota Clean Cities (partnering with North Dakota Soybean Council)
·    Triangle Clean Cities Coalition (partnering with North Carolina Soybean Producers Association)
·    Twin Cities Clean Cities Coalition (partnering with Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council)
·    Virginia Clean Cities (partnering with Maryland Soybean Board and Virginia Soybean Board)
·    Yellowstone-Teton Clean Energy Coalition

USB is made up of 69 farmer-directors who oversee the investments of the soybean checkoff on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers. Checkoff funds are invested in the areas of animal utilization, human utilization, industrial utilization, industry relations, market access and supply. As stipulated in the Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soybean checkoff.

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org
Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnitedSoybeanBoard
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/unitedsoy
View our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/UnitedSoybeanBoard

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Duluth, Minn. - Today maurices launched its second annual Main Street Model Search. The young women's retailer is looking for 12 real girls in all sizes to model maurices clothing in upcoming fall, holiday and spring campaigns. Models will be selected through maurices Main Street Model Search.

"Through last year's Main Street Model Search, we were able to express maurices' passion for embracing real girls from hometowns across America," says Brad Hartmann, maurices vice president of marketing. "We're excited to give another group of women the opportunity to live their dream of modeling while demonstrating what the maurices brand is all about: fashion, fun and giving back."

Women ages 18 and older can enter maurices Main Street Model Search online. They'll need to upload photos of themselves, write a short essay and provide other key details. Full model contest rules should be reviewed before entering.

Stylist and fashion designer Christopher Straub from Lifetime's "Project Runway" will once again be part of the judging panel. Straub launched Christopher Straub for maurices?a line of clothing, accessories and a fragrance?in November 2011. His second line for maurices will be unveiled this spring.

Straub was thrilled when maurices invited him to be part of its second model search. "It was incredibly rewarding to be part of last year's contest. I met so many wonderful people who were beautiful on the inside and out. I can't wait to be part of selecting the next maurices Main Street Models."

Judges will select models based on appearance and how well they represent the maurices image. The top 12 models will each receive a photo shoot in one of three iconic destinations in the U.S. and national exposure at maurices locations, www.maurices.com, mailers and social media; a $1,500 maurices gift card; and $7,500 for a charitable makeover to be awarded directly to a community or charitable organization in her hometown.

Women can enter online now through February 13. Online voting is open from February 27 through March 19, with people receiving a surprise coupon offer from maurices every time they vote, plus a chance to win as much as $1,000 in gift cards. Online voting will narrow the field of contestants to 100 who will be required to create a video as part of their submission. maurices will select 20 models for a final casting call in Minneapolis, Minn., the week of April 16. The top 12 models will be announced April 23.

For more information, visit maurices.com , facebook.com/maurices or mauricesmainstreetmodel.com.

maurices Main Street Model Search 2012 Timeline

Model submissions: January 16 - February 13
Women from across America enter online for the chance to model for maurices and win fabulous prizes, including a fashion shoot in an iconic destination in the U.S.

Online voting: February 27 - March 19
Voters help narrow the search to 100 contestants with each of their votes earning a surprise coupon offer from maurices, plus a chance to win as much as $1,000 in gift cards.

Meet the top 100 contestants: March 20
maurices reveals the voters' top 100 choices online.

Video submission: March 20 - 27
The top 100 contestants create and submit a video that tells why they should be a maurices Main Street Model.

Introducing the top 20: April 2
Judging panel reveals the top 20 contestants.

Casting call: Week of April 16
Top 20 finalists are brought to Minneapolis, Minn., for a casting call with a panel of judges that includes Christopher Straub from Season Six of Lifetime's "Project Runway."

And the winners are: April 23
maurices will introduce the 12 winners of maurices Main Street Model Search 2012.

 

About maurices

maurices, a division of Ascena Retail Group, Inc. (NASDAQ - ASNA), is the leading hometown specialty store and authority for the savvy, fashion-conscious girl with a twenty-something attitude. Today, maurices operates 800 stores in 44 states. maurices stands for fashion, quality, value and customer service. Offering sizes 1-26 in select stores and online, our styles are inspired by the girl in everyone, in every size. For store information and to shop online, visit maurices.com.

 

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