50 Million Pound Challenge Launches Historic Campaign by African-American Community to Take Control of Health, Fight Deadly Risks of Excess Weight

Patti LaBelle, Michael Strahan Join Dr. Ian Smith to Kick-off National Campaign; Makes It Easier to Lose Weight, Get Fit; Joining is Free, Anyone can Sign up.

Washington, D.C., April 5, 2007 -- Vowing to “give up the pounds, not the fight,” Dr. Ian Smith, physician, New York Times best-selling author and VH1 Celebrity Fit Club diet expert, is teaming up with a remarkable group of African-American leaders and State Farm® to launch 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.

The national campaign kicks off at a special event expected to draw tens of thousands to the National Mall from 11 - 3 p.m., Saturday, April 7, featuring Patti LaBelle, Yolanda Adams, Steve Harvey, Omarion, Kelly Price, Kimberley Locke, DJ Biz Markie, NY Giants star Michael Strahan and more. Attendees will enjoy live entertainment, be able to learn more and sign up for the initiative, get a free health screening, and join Dr. Smith on a first Challenge walk.

One of the largest African-American health initiatives ever undertaken, 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 today and has hit the African-American community especially hard.  The lives of too many loved ones have been lost from heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and other related illnesses.

To mobilize support, The Challenge is enlisting leaders across the African-American community and beyond to spread the word.  It will travel across America on a 14-city tour from April to November to encourage participation.  And it is working with State Farm to make it easier for people to get fit and find their healthy weight, through a variety of helpful tips and tools, including a go-to resource and community for participants.

“The groundswell of support has been amazing,” said Dr. Ian, author of New York Times #1 best-seller Fat Smash Diet. “What began as a simple challenge has become a remarkable commitment by leaders across the community.  For individuals, losing weight and getting fit has never been easier, or more important. Too many African Americans are dying from preventable illnesses. The Challenge empowers people to help themselves by getting fit and losing weight that has frustrated so many for so long.  It helps us take a giant leap forward towards leading longer, healthier lives.”

The Challenge has already enlisted as champions more than 50 leaders and celebrities from around the country, as well as national civic and health organizations such as the American Diabetes Association, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc., the National Urban League, the Institute for the Advancement of Multicultural & Minority Medicine, and the American Council on Exercise.

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-winner Patti LaBelle said, “The Challenge is a once in a lifetime opportunity for our people to come together and achieve something that will live on for generations. Getting your health together and losing weight is a very personal journey.  It doesn’t have to be a lonely one.  The Challenge is about helping people make the right choices and realize their dreams—to be their very best and enjoy a healthier life.  Ultimately it’s about respect.  Respect for your body.  Respect for yourself.” 

Challenge champion NY Giants star Michael Strahan said, “Staying fit and taking care of our health is something we all must pay attention to—even if you’re in the NFL.  Carrying too much weight on the field can kill your game.  Carrying too much weight off the field can kill you. We face a crisis in America, especially in the African-American community. That’s why I’m supporting The Challenge.  We’ve got the power to take control of our health and lead longer, healthier lives.”

After launch, the campaign continues on its 14-city tour, which includes: Washington DC, Baltimore, Miami, Memphis, Cleveland, Houston, Detroit, Milwaukee, Atlanta, St. Louis, Chicago, New York, Oakland & New Orleans.  Signing up for The Challenge is easy, free and anyone can join, at 50millionpounds.com, where people can see total pounds lost by all participants and find tips, tools and a personal weight tracker to measure their progress. Free Challenge kits are available at participating State Farm agent offices, with a CD and brochure from Dr. Ian with health and food advice, and a pedometer.

To make The Challenge possible, Dr. Ian is teaming with State Farm, which is sponsoring the initiative as part of its long-time commitment to the African-American community. “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.” Dr. Ian said: “State Farm’s support and concern in this effort has been outstanding.  They get it.”

For more information, please contact:

Jodi Bannerman
(212) 486-7070 (office)
(202) 577-5798 (mobile)

Mia Jazo-Harris
(309) 766-5242 (office)
(309) 533-2011 (mobile)

About The 50 Million Pound Challenge

Dr. Ian Smith’s 50 Million Pound Challenge, sponsored by State Farm®, 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 HeathWatch 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® 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 statefarm.com® or in Canada statefarm.ca®.