NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Carl Edwards was named Wednesday to President Obama's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition by First Lady Michelle Obama in Washington, D.C.

"It's a group that I'm honored to be a part of,” said Edwards. “I look forward to working with the Council, the President and First Lady to help kids better understand the importance and the fun of being fit and eating well."

Formerly known as the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, the President has expanded the Council to promote proper eating as part of a healthy lifestyle.

“This year we’re expanding the work of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition to include not just a focus on active lifestyles, but on healthy eating, too,” Mrs. Obama said.  “The Council will play an important role in our effort to help combat childhood obesity in this country and I am grateful to the athletes, chefs, doctors and nutrition experts who are volunteering their time on the Council to help make a difference.”

The Council includes Edwards, Dan Barber, Tedy Bruschi, Allyson Felix, Michelle Kwan, Curtis Pride, Donna Richardson Joyner, Dr. Ian Smith, Cornell McClellan, Grant Hill, Billie Jean King, Chris Paul, Dr. Stephen McDonough and is co-chaired by Drew Bees and Dominique Dawes.

The Council’s mission is to engage, educate and empower all Americans to adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity and good nutrition.

For more information about the Council and its members, visit www.fitness.gov

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