About Us
The Iowa Sports Foundation (ISF) was created on June 20, 1986 to promote amateur sports within the state of Iowa; host Olympic-style festivals, competitions, and exhibitions; and create awareness, emphasize, and educate Iowans concerning the numerous benefits of good health, physical fitness, good character, and competition. More than 100,000 people from all of Iowa's 99 counties participated in ISF events in 2006, including Summer Iowa Games, Winter Iowa Games, Hoopin' at the Dome, Net Fest, and many others. As the founder of Live Healthy Iowa (formally known as Lighten Up Iowa), the ISF continues to lead the way in encouraging Iowans to become healthier by increasing physical activity and developing positive eating habits. Twelve other states have adopted the Live Healthy model since its initial success in 2002. In 2004, the ISF developed the two youth wellness programs, Go The Distance and Go The Distance Day. Learn more about the Iowa Sports Foundation and their events.
Iowa State University Extension is a partner of Live Healthy Iowa and builds partnerships and provides research-based learning opportunities to improve the quality of life in Iowa. The partnerships promote health and well-being. A healthy lifestyle is central to a fulfilling life. Extension helps citizens understand the risks and the benefits of specific food components, food-handling practices, processing technologies, and food production. ISU Extension also helps communities manage their resources to promote nutrition and health. In addition to nutritional education for families and individuals, ISU Extension also offers programming in family life education and resource management. To learn more about programs for all Iowans contact your local ISU Extension office or visit the Web site.
The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) is also a partner of Live Healthy Iowa and is a catalyst for promoting and protecting the health of Iowans. It strives to improve the quality of life for all Iowans through access to comprehensive health services focused on prevention. Applying scientific knowledge, the department engages public and private partners to secure resources, deliver services, and maintain the public health infrastructure. Learn more about the Iowa Department of Public Health.
History of Live Healhty Iowa (formally known as Lighten Up Iowa)
In November of 2000 a strategic planning meeting was held with board members of the Iowa Sports Foundation. Former Governor Robert Ray stated that the board needed to address a huge health problem in the state of Iowa that is the second leading cause of preventable death...obesity. Obesity has a direct impact on chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, some cancers, and high blood cholesterol. Another former Governor, Terry Branstad, spoke about forming teams of Iowans to see who could lose the most weight and have fun doing it. Governor Ray was ahead of the national push on battling obesity and overweight, but soon after the first Lighten Up Iowa program began it became a national issue through the media. There were 1,400 participants the first year in a six month program which saw teams lose a total of 6,000 pounds. The following year Iowa State University Extension and the Iowa Department of Public Health partnered to support the Iowa Sports Foundation and the number of participants has continued to grow and reached a record number of over 33,000 participants in 2006. Since the inception of Lighten Up Iowa in 2002, over 74,000 individuals have participated and lost over 153 tons of weight.