San Diego State psychology professor James Sallis received a 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award from the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition during an upcoming council meeting on May 10.
About the award
The national award is given to individuals whose careers have greatly contributed to the advancement or promotion of physical activity, fitness, sports and nutrition-related programs nationwide. Winners are chosen by the members of the President’s Council based on the span and scope of an individual’s career, the estimated number of lives they have touched and the impact of their legacy.
The annual award is given during National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, which takes place in May.
“The efforts of our 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award recipients have significantly contributed to our nation’s development of a more profound focus on overall quality of life in relation to health,” said Shellie Pfohl, the council’s executive director.
“These five individuals have led the way in catalyzing our mission, devoting their entire careers to promoting fitness, sports and nutrition.”
In addition to Sallis, other recipients include:
- Sihak Henry Cho, a ninth-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and a pioneer of American martial arts
- Robert “Bobby” Dodd, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Amateur Athletic Union
- William G. McNamara, former consultant to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition
- Judith C. Young, Ph.D., vice president for programs at the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
About Sallis
Sallis is a professor of psychology at SDSU and the director of the Active Living Research program for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. He was recently elected as the vice president of the American College of Sports Medicine and will be inducted at the organization’s annual meeting in June.
His primary research interests include promoting physical activity and understanding policy and environmental influences on physical activity, nutrition and obesity. Sallis’ health improvement programs have been studied and used in health-care settings, schools, universities and companies.
He has authored more than 500 scientific publications, co-authored several books and serves on the editorial boards of several journals. In addition to the Presiden’ts Council on Physical Fitness, Sports and Nutrition Lifetime Achievement Award, Sallis has received awards from the:
- American College of Sports Medicine
- Society of Behavioral Medicine
- American Psychological Association Division of Health Psychology
His current focus is using research to inform policy and environmental changes that will increase physical activity and reduce childhood obesity. Sallis is a frequent consultant to universities, health organizations, government agencies and corporations worldwide. Time Magazine identified him as an “obesity warrior.”
About the President’s Council
The President’s Council on Physical Fitness, Sports and Nutrition promotes healthy lifestyles through fitness, sports and nutrition programs, and initiatives that educate, engage and empower all Americans. The council is a committee of volunteer citizens appointed by the U.S. president who serve in an advisory capacity through the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
For more information about the council, visit www.fitness.gov.