News

SILVER SPRING, MD — Some of the world’s leading doctors have epped up to proclaim that physical inactivity is the leading health issue for the 21st Century. As a result, it’s absolutely necessary that all Americans must understand and appreciate the value of a lifestyle filled with activity, fitness and exercise. To that end, PHIT America has formed Doctors for a PHIT America to help Americans understand the magnitude of the power of daily physical activity.

“Not only are physical activity, exercise and physical fitness activities good for the human body, there is plenty of evidence that physical activity is the best prescription for total health – for the body, mind and spirit,” says Jim Baugh, founder of PHIT America.

The following nationally recognized doctors have joined Doctors for a PHIT America and the PHIT America Alliance. They are committed to our mission to create a ‘Movement for a Fit & Healthy America.’

Dr. Steven Blair – Professor; Department of Exercise Science and Epidemiology and Biostatistics; Arnold School of Public Health; University of South Carolina — Dr. Blair says: “Health promotion programs in the workplace are a necessity. And, all medical doctors should get exercise on the agendas for their patients.”

Dr. Tim Church — Professor, Pennington Biomedical, Louisiana State University — Dr. Church says: “There is nothing you can do for your health that is more powerful than maintaining an active lifestyle. And for children, the foundation of an activity filled lifestyle starts with daily physical education in our schools.”

Dr. Erik Groessl – Associate Professor; Department of Family and Preventative Medicine; University of California San Diego – Dr. Groessl says: “Physical activity has become a major focus of my research because it is a low-cost option for impacting a wide variety of disorders, it has few side effects, and it is easily integrated with other treatments.”

Dr. Gregory Heath — Professor of Medicine and Director of Research, University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga –

Dr. Heath says: “As a public health practitioner and researcher, my passion is the understanding and promotion of physical activity and exercise for the enhancement of health and prevention of non-communicable diseases. My recent research activity focuses on the role of the built and socio-cultural environments in promoting physical activity and healthy eating among diverse inner city residents.”

Dr. James Hill – Professor of Pediatrics, Medicine, Physiology, and Biophysics; University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus – Dr. Hill says: “Humans were meant to move and lack of movement leads to both physical and mental deterioration. Increasing physical activity should be high on our list of national priorities.”

Dr. Michael Mantell — Senior Fitness Consultant for Behavioral Sciences, American Council on Exercise – Dr. Mantell says: “Consistent functional movement, resistance training and cardio activity prevent illness, promote recuperative sleep, reduce stress, regulate weight, improve mood, sharpen cognitive skills, and are therefore key ingredients in the recipe for total health.”

Dr. Jordan Metzl — Sports Medicine Doctor/Author/Marathoner, New York’s Hospital for Special Surgery – Dr. Metzl says: “The number one prescription that I give to my patients is exercise. Only a third of physicians talk to their patients about exercise. That’s got to change. Doctors can help by learning more about how to prescribe exercise.”

Dr. Paul Thompson – Medical Doctor/Chief of Cardiology, Hartford Hospital – Dr. Thompson says: “Many medical care providers and patients do not realize that exercise has beneficial effects on many common problems such as obesity, blood pressure, blood sugar, and triglycerides. Even better news is that you don’t have to get into great shape for some effects to occur. Blood pressure, blood sugar and triglycerides all fall within 24 hours of vigorous exercise. How big this acute effect is depends largely on how much you do, but the key issue is doing something daily so that the positive effects accumulate.”

Baugh is excited about this new group of supporters. “We are starting to get the medical community to realize that prescribing activity, sport and fitness are essential to total health. Many other nationally recognized doctors are connecting with us. We expect this group to grow and be more vocal in our ‘Movement for a Fit & Healthy America.’”

As an aside, to help complement the existence of Doctors for a PHIT America, two other niche categories are in place to assist PHIT America as it works to ‘Help Get America Moving:’ Ambassadors and Celebrity Ambassadors.

About PHIT America

Founded in January 2013, PHIT America is a non-profit educational, social media, and advocacy campaign focused on overcoming the inactivity pandemic and obesity crisis in America by creating a ‘Movement for a Fit & Healthy America.’ More than 140 companies, along with sports ambassadors and celebrities, are helping PHIT America to get more Americans more active, fit and healthy.

A few of the major PHIT America initiatives include passing key legislation. The Personal Health Investment Today Act (PHIT) will allow Americans will be able to use pre-tax medical accounts for physical activity expenses. The Physical Education Program (PEP) is a 14-year program supporting increased activity in local physical education programs throughout America. Both the PHIT Act and PEP Program will help mitigate rising health care costs by encouraging Americans to develop more active, healthy lifestyles.

PHIT America also just launched the Mayors Fitness Challenge, a new, fun 10-week campaign in local cities around the U.S. designed to encourage active lifestyles through group exercise sessions, educational programs and community engagement.

For more information about PHIT America, visit PHITAmerica.org.