[November 19, 2014]

ACE Documentary Addressing Stigma of Obesity Selected for American Public Health Association Film Festival

In an effort to provide greater insight into the mindset of those impacted by obesity, the American Council on Exercise (ACE) has crafted a new documentary-style video, "Stigma of Obesity" highlighting the experiences of ACE Certified Health Coach Lee Jordan while on his journey of losing more than 270 pounds.

The film, selected from a pool of hundreds of entrants, debuts at the American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting in New Orleans. Through a poignant interview, ACE provides viewers with a first-hand account of the "nightmare of a life" that the millions of Americans impacted by obesity experience every day.

"Whenever we, as a country, talk about how we can eliminate the obesity epidemic, we are far too often only guided by the promise of cutting costs or alleviating the burden obesity and its comorbidities have placed on our healthcare system," said ACE President and CEO Scott Goudeseune. "This raw, emotional account puts the focus where it should be-on the people that we, as a society, can help lead to sustainable, healthy change."

Now an ACE Certified Health Coach, Jordan specializes in coaching clients who need to lose 100 pounds or more in one-on-one and virtual settings. His "30 Seconds to Victory" program is recognized by numerous physicians as a way to help people rediscover a life of freedom.

"The important takeaway here is that, as Lee says in the video, people cannot overcome obesity alone," Goudeseune said. "ACE is preparing health and fitness professionals to build the type of relationships that people need to feel heard and empowered. Through an understanding of the challenges faced by those impacted by obesity and the skills to coach them through their journey, ACE certified Health Coaches and Behavior Change Specialists can help provide the social and professional support that people need to overcome this disease and adopt sustainable, healthy change."

A second video from ACE selected for the 11^th Annual Public Health Film Festival highlights cooking techniques and games that families can use to instill healthy habits among children.

In "Cooking with Kids: A Powerful Parent Coaching Strategy to Help Raise Healthier Eaters," practicing pediatrician Natalie Digate Muth, MD, MPH, RD, FAAP, shares strategies parents can utilize to instill the value of healthy eating among children.

To view the "Stigma of Obesity" video, visit http://vimeo.com/acefitness/stigmaofobesity

About ACE

The nonprofit American Council on Exercise (ACE) educates, certifies, and represents more than 53,000 fitness professionals, health coaches, and other allied health professionals. ACE advocates for a new intersection of fitness and healthcare, bringing the highly qualified professionals that ACE represents into the healthcare continuum so they can contribute to the national solution to physical inactivity and obesity. ACE is the largest certifier in its space; all four of its primary certification programs are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the gold standard in the U.S. for assessing professional competence. ACE also plays an important public-service role, conducting research and making available science-based information and resources on safe and effective physical activity and sustainable behavior change.

For more information, call (800) 825-3636 or visit ACEfitness.org. AMERICAN COUNCIL ON (News - Alert) EXERCISE, ACE and ACE logos are Registered Trademarks of the American Council on Exercise.

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