Press Room

ACE Endorses Appointment of Dr. Sanjay Gupta as U.S. Surgeon General

Posted: Jan 30, 2009 in

 

SAN DIEGO (Jan. 27, 2009)—The American Council on Exercise (ACE), America’s leading authority on fitness and one of the largest fitness certification, education and training organizations in the world, today announced its support of the appointment of Dr. Sanjay Gupta, chief medical correspondent for the health and medical unit at CNN, to the role of Surgeon General of the United States because of his passion for inspiring Americans to lead healthier, more active lives. As part of ACE’s support, the organization has sent a letter to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and
Pensions and the honorable Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chair.

Dr. Gupta’s dual role as a practicing neurosurgeon and journalist reflects his extensive knowledge and experience in the healthcare industry, as well as his ability to speak candidly about the key health issues that affect Americans. Furthermore, because of Dr. Gupta’s success at initiating programs like “New You Resolution” and “Fit Nation,” which address the challenges Americans face in the battle against obesity, ACE believes that Dr. Gupta, in his role as Surgeon General, can help
America make healthy living an integral part of our society.

“Obesity, specifically childhood obesity, is a major crisis for the American people in the 21st century. Dr. Gupta’s passion and vision will help bring some of our society’s most serious ills to light in Washington, D.C.,” says ACE Chief Science Officer Cedric X. Bryant, Ph.D. “Like Dr. Gupta, ACE advocates societal changes that will create a more fit America. We are excited to see someone in this role whose noteworthy career has been dedicated to creating a more healthconscious America.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 34 percent of U.S. adults age 20 and over are considered obese, which means this segment of the U.S. population is prone to diabetes, heart disease and other serious health conditions. Both Gupta and ACE believe this number can be drastically reduced if Americans make a regular habit of engaging in physical activity.

Throughout ACE’s history, the organization has worked to reduce obesity in children, educate consumers of the importance of regular physical activity in enhancing the quality and quantity of their lives, and expound on the potential risks associated with adopting unsound fitness practices and programs, all of which are consistent with and support Dr. Gupta’s goals of educating and motivating Americans to lead active, healthy lifestyles.

About the American Council on Exercise (ACE)

The American Council on Exercise (ACE), America’s premier certification, education and training organization, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the benefits of physical activity and protecting consumers against unsafe and ineffective fitness products and instruction. ACE sponsors university-based exercise science research and is the world’s largest nonprofit fitness certifying organization. For more information on ACE and its programs, call (800) 825-3636 or log onto the ACE Web site at www.acefitness.org.

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