John Jakicic, PhD, FACSM
John M. Jakicic, Ph.D. is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Health and Physical Activity. Dr. Jakicic is also the Director of the NIH-Funded Obesity and Nutrition Research Center, and the Director of the Physical Activity and Weight Management Research Center at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Jakicic has a national and international reputation as a leading scholar in this area of physical activity and weight control. Dr. Jakicic is currently conducting research to examine the appropriate dose of exercise combined with healthy eating recommendations to prevent weight gain in adults. This research will provide valuable public health information related to exercise recommendations for the prevention of obesity. This line of research builds off of a long-line of prior research conducted by Dr. Jakicic which demonstrated that approximately 60 minutes per day of moderate intensity physical activity is necessary to enhance long-term weight loss and prevent weight regain. These experiences have culminated in Dr. Jakicic serving as the coordinator of the “America on the Move in Pittsburgh” initiative that is a collaboration of academic, corporate, medical, and community organizations throughout the Greater Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania region. This initiative is part of a nation program to improve the health of children and adults through modest increases in physical activity and modest reductions in dietary intake.
