WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Vowing to "Give up the pounds, not the fight," Dr. Ian Smith, physician, journalist, medical/diet expert on VH1's "Celebrity Fit Club" and host of BET's "Meet the Faith" has teamed up with State Farm and a remarkable group of African-American leaders and champions to launch The 50 Million Pound Challenge, an unprecedented national campaign and historic commitment by the African-American community to join hands and help people take control of their health by losing weight and staying fit.

It aims to fight back against the epidemic of excess weight and related deadly diseases that threatens half of all Americans today and is hitting the African-American community especially hard-taking the lives of too many loved ones from heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and other illnesses.

Dr. Ian addresses the serious health problems associated with being overweight that face the African-American community and offers the tools and information needed to take part in this important campaign and to start down the path to a healthier life.