Baylor University's Center for Healthy Living Unveils Low-Cost Health and Fitness Assessment Program for the Community

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Contact: Tonya B. Lewis, (254) 710-4656

WACO, Texas (Oct. 18, 2012) --The Center for Healthy Living (CHL) at Baylor University has partnered with local physicians at the Family Medical Clinic to create a Health & Fitness Assessment program that will provide low-cost comprehensive physicals and fitness prescriptions for Waco, McLennan County and the surrounding central Texas region.
Under the direction of the CHL staff, Baylor Health and Human Performance (HHPR) students will conduct the assessments, which include a physician screening, blood sample, lung function and volumes measurement, body composition and bone density analysis, exercise test, flexibility and musculoskeletal fitness and a review of the results with a physician.
After the evaluation, participants will receive a personal and confidential report of their current health and fitness along with an exercise plan designed to help them meet their fitness goals. The physicians and students will not diagnose illnesses or prescribe medicines, but may recommend that participants follow-up with their doctor.
Director of the Center for Healthy Living, Peter Grandjean, Ph.D., associate professor of Health and Human Performance, developed the program and sees it as a partnership that benefits all those involved.
"Our program is designed to train our students and allow them to have hands-on experience and work with clients in a clinical setting, giving them a competitive edge when applying for internships and professional schools. Meanwhile, clients receive an exercise prescription and a comprehensive health profile at little or no cost," Grandjean said. "This program will also enhance the medical residency program's curriculum - especially regarding exercise and exercise prescription."
Available test dates for the fall include: October 23, October 30, November 6 and November 13. Testing begins at 7:30 a.m. and lasts for about three hours. Eventually, Grandjean said they will offer 8 to 10 sessions per semester. Although there is a low-cost fee for the assessments, during the first four test dates Grandjean said the assessment will be free in exchange for feedback about the program.
"We want to build the best program possible that meets the needs of the clients we serve, and one way for us to accomplish that is to solicit responses from clients to aid in the development of the program," Grandjean said.
Grandjean envisions the program as an extension of Baylor's community outreach and commitment to service.

"At some point, we want to expand our services --through sponsorships--to fund assessments for community helpers such as volunteer firefighters who give their time to the community and those that cannot afford the assessments," said Grandjean.
For more information on the Health & Fitness Program, contact the Center for Healthy Living at (254) 710-3909 or e-mail Dr. Grandjean at Peter_Grandjean@baylor.edu.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having "high research activity" by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The University provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 15,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 11 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.