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50 Million Pound Challenge Comes to Baltimore -- Historic Campaign By African-American Community to Take Control of Health, Fight Deadly Toll of Excess Weight

Posted on: Wednesday, 18 April 2007, 15:00 CDT

BALTIMORE, April 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Vowing to "give up the pounds, not the fight," Dr. Ian Smith, physician, NY Times best-selling author and VH1 Celebrity Fit Club expert, is teaming up with a remarkable group of African- American leaders and State Farm(R) on a 14-city tour across the U.S. to mobilize support for The 50 Million Pound Challenge, an unprecedented campaign and commitment by the African-American community to join hands and help people take control of their lives and health.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070418/AQW518 )

The national campaign comes to Baltimore on Saturday, April 21, 11- 2 p.m. for a free special event expected to draw thousands to Harborplace (Inner Harbor, corner of Light & Pratt Streets). Featured will be recording artists Marques Houston, Monica, Doug E. Fresh, Tanya Blount, veteran DJ Biz Markie, Congressman Elijah Cummings (MD - 7th District), Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown, and Baltimore Deputy Mayor, Community and Human Development Salima Siler Marriott. Attendees will be able to enjoy live entertainment, get a free health screening, learn more about the initiative and sign up to take The Challenge, and join Dr. Ian for a Challenge walk at the Inner Harbor.

One of the largest African-American health initiatives ever undertaken, The Challenge kicked off in Washington, DC April 7. Just a week after launch, more than 20,000 people have signed up at http://www.50millionpounds.com/ . The Challenge aims to reach its ambitious goal by making it easier for millions of people to get fit, lose weight and turn back the epidemic of deadly weight-related diseases that threatens half of all Americans and has hit the African-American community particularly hard. The lives of too many loved ones have been lost from heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and other related illnesses.

To fight back, The Challenge travels across America to 14 cities from April to November to encourage more participation. It has enlisted as champions more than 50 leaders and celebrities across the African-American community, and national civic and health organizations such as the American Diabetes Association, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc., 100 Black Men of America, Inc., National Urban League, Institute for the Advancement of Multicultural & Minority Medicine, and American Council on Exercise. And it's working with State Farm to make it easier for people to get fit and reach their healthy weight with helpful tips & tools that include a go-to resource and community for participants at http://www.50millionpounds.com/ .

"This is an historic opportunity to come together as a community, take control of our health and save lives," said Dr. Ian, author of NY Times #1 best-seller Fat Smash Diet. "The groundswell of support from leaders and participants has been amazing. What began as a simple challenge has become a remarkable commitment that is spreading across the entire community. For individuals, losing weight and getting fit has never been easier, or more important. Too many people are dying from preventable illnesses. The Challenge empowers people to help themselves by getting fit and losing the weight that has frustrated so many for so long. It helps us take a giant leap forward towards leading longer, healthier lives."

The numbers and lost lives tell the story. Every week, 10,000 Americans die from preventable illness related to poor diet and inactivity. Yet 135 million Americans and two-thirds of U.S. adults are overweight today, double the rate a few decades ago. For African Americans, 80% of women and 67% of men face the deadly risks of excess weight. "We will reverse these deadly trends together, one small step at a time," said Dr. Ian. "The answer is clear. Reach your healthy weight, and you'll look and feel great. You're also likely to live longer!"

Challenge supporter and Grammy-winning artist Monica said, "Few things are more important than taking care of our health. We need to cherish and respect it as much as we cherish those we love. The Challenge is about pulling together as a community and taking care of each other. It's about helping people make the life choices to make themselves into what they know they can be. Just because you haven't done it yet doesn't mean you can't do it. Don't let yesterday's disappointments get in the way of tomorrow's possibilities. Pulling together, we can do it -- and lead healthier, longer lives."

Challenge backer Congressman Elijah Cummings (MD - 7th District) said, "As a society, we have taken our health for granted for far too long. The Challenge is a wake up call for us all to make our health our number one priority and to break the cycle of untimely deaths in our community perpetuated through poor lifestyle choices that lead to obesity and avoidable health problems. Change begins when each of us makes the right choices to eat healthy and exercise. We will empower our community by taking these simple steps."

On its 14-city tour, The Challenge is hosting events in Washington, DC, Baltimore, Miami, Memphis, Cleveland, Houston, Detroit, Milwaukee, Atlanta, St. Louis, Chicago, New York, Oakland and New Orleans. Signing up is easy, free and anyone can join at http://www.50millionpounds.com/ , where participants can see the combined pounds lost by all those taking The Challenge, and find tips, tools and a private personal weight tracker to measure their own progress. Free Challenge kits are available at participating State Farm agent offices, with a CD and brochure from Dr. Ian for health & food advice, and a pedometer to measure steps.

Dr. Ian is teaming on The Challenge with State Farm, which is sponsoring the initiative as part of its long-time commitment to the African-American community and all communities. "This campaign is ultimately about helping people live longer, more productive lives," said Pam El, Vice President of Marketing at State Farm. "We care about the health of our communities. State Farm is proud to work with Dr. Ian on an issue that has such a positive impact on so many people's lives in the African-American community." Said Dr. Ian: "State Farm's support and concern in this effort has been outstanding. They get it."

About The 50 Million Pound Challenge

Dr. Ian Smith's 50 Million Pound Challenge, sponsored by State Farm(R), is a campaign supported and endorsed in name and deed by leaders across the African-American community and national civic and health organizations. The Challenge is an historic opportunity and commitment by the African-American community to come together and help people take control of their lives and health by getting fit, losing excess weight and fight the deadly health risks associated with being overweight, which threaten almost 50% of Americans and hit the African-American community particularly hard.

About Dr. Ian Smith

Dr. Ian is the diet/fitness expert for VH1's Celebrity Fit Club. He's also author of the NY Times #1 best-seller The Fat Smash Diet and The Extreme Fat Smash Diet, as well as other works of fiction and non-fiction. He hosts his own TV & radio shows, BET's Meet the Faith and HealthWatch on the American Urban Radio Network. Dr. Ian is a contributor to the View and Men's Health Magazine. He has filed reports and written for NBC Nightly News, The Today Show, Essence, Ebony, People, Cosmopolitan and the University of Chicago's Medicine on the Midway. He's a new dad and lives with his family in Chicago.

About State Farm

State Farm(R) insures more cars than any other insurer in North America and is the leading U.S. home insurer. State Farm's 17,000 agents and 68,000 employees serve over 75 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and more than 1.6 million bank accounts. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 22 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com/ (R) or in Canada http://www.statefarm.ca/ (R).

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070418/AQW518PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

50 Million Pound Challenge

CONTACT: Marc Smrikarov, +1-212-486-7070, or +1-917-595-9841 (cell), ormarcs@brownlloydjames.com , or Mia Jazo-Harris, +1-309-533-2011 (cell), or+1-309-766-5242, or mia.jazo-harris.sfdx@statefarm.com , both for 50 MillionPound Challenge

Web site: http://www.50millionpounds.com/http://www.statefarm.com/http://www.statefarm.ca/

Source: PRNewswire

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