FOR IMMEDIATE MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday, March 18, 2010

Being overweight is more than a “battle of the bulge.” In fact, being fat increases the risk of life-threatening diseases including heart disease, diabetes and even cancer. 

The statistics are alarming: nearly 70 percent of Americans are overweight and one-third of the population is obese. In Ohio, obesity has reached almost epidemic proportions:  the state ranks as the 10th fattest in the country, and more than one in three children ages 10 to 17 are overweight or obese. USA Today lists Cleveland as the 6th fattest city in the United States.

Given these startling numbers, WVIZ/PBS and 90.3 WCPN ideastream®, in partnership with The Plain Dealer and WKYC Channel 3, will focus on FIGHTING FAT in a multiple media series airing Friday, April 2 and continuing through Thursday, April 15.  FIGHTING FAT, the fifth in a series of multi-media health specials on chronic disease and illness produced by ideastream, will include television, radio reports and programs, print, and web content.  Through the personal stories of people who are battling weight issues on a daily basis, and by presenting the latest research and treatments along with available resources, ideastream puts a human face on this problem that is now a major public health threat. 

Highlights of the FIGHTING FAT project include hour-long radio programs on a variety of obesity-related subjects airing as part of “The Sound of Ideas®” on 90.3 WCPN; a stand-alone television program called “Fighting Fat” airing on WVIZ/PBS; and special segments airing on the weekly WVIZ/PBS productions of “Applause” and “Feagler & Friends.” Also, local, in-depth radio reports will air from April 2 through April 12 during 90.3 WCPN’s broadcast of “Morning Edition” from 6– 9 a.m., and during the afternoon broadcasts of “All Things Considered” on 90.3 WCPN. “Around Noon” on 90.3 WCPN will also focus on the issue on Wednesday, April 14.

The Plain Dealer will present ongoing coverage related to obesity beginning in April, and WKYC Channel 3 will also present reports on the issue of fat the week of April 5.

WATCH–LISTEN–CONNECT

The centerpiece of the television coverage is the WVIZ/PBS-produced “Fighting Fat” special airing on Thursday, April 8 at 8 p.m. (re-broadcasts 4/10 at 6 p.m., 4/11 at 3:30 p.m., 4/14 at 7:30 p.m., and 4/18 at 2:30 p.m.) The special puts a personal face on the struggle of fighting fat and staying at a healthy weight by introducing viewers to William Baker of Avon, Ohio. 

Baker, a stay-at-home dad, has had a lifelong battle with fat.  Through his story, and interviews with physicians, researchers and psychologists, viewers learn the various biological, social, cultural, emotional and behavioral issues involved with why people get fat, as well as why it’s so hard to lose and keep off weight. Baker’s recent success in taking off 50 pounds propels the program to examine the vital components of any successful weight loss program and the lifelong commitment necessary to control weight.

Central to the FIGHTING FAT radio programming on 90.3 WCPN are two, hour-long programs on various aspects of obesity airing during the station’s The Sound of Ideas® program, including:

Monday, April 5 at 9 a.m. Obesity 101:  Experts join host Dan Moulthrop to present an overview of the obesity epidemic:  how pervasive is the problem?  What, exactly, does fat do to the body?  And what’s the difference between being slightly overweight, obese or morbidly obese?

Friday, April 9 at 9 a.m. Host Regina Brett looks at the public policy associated with fat … the increasing presence of “food police” who take the issue of obesity into the realm of health insurance, condition of employment, entrance into clubs or organizations and even air travel.

Other programming on the subject to be presented on 90.3 WCPN include: 

Morning Edition reports (Weekdays, 6 – 9 a.m.), Friday, April 2 – Monday, April 12 and
All Things Considered reports (Weekdays 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.), Friday, April 2 – Friday, April 9:

Friday, April 2, Morning Edition:  Obesity Q&A.
Monday – Wednesday, April 5-8, Morning Edition: The Marketing of Food (Soft Drink Marketing 4/6; “Scent Marketing” 4/7; Positive Choices in Food/Diets 4/8).
Tuesday, April 6, All Things Considered: Childhood Obesity (replays 4/7 on Morning Edition).
Thursday, April 8, All Things Considered: Obesity and Pregnancy (replays 4/9 on Morning Edition).
Monday, April 12, Morning Edition: Food “Deserts,” areas in the urban landscape where finding healthy food choices is difficult, and the effect on area residents.

Around Noon, Wednesday, April 14 at 12 noon: 
90.3 WCPN’s weekday radio series on regional arts and culture will focus on the subject by talking about real and “fake” food with acclaimed author/journalist Michael Pollan.  Also, local chef Doug Katz talks about his lifelong battle with weight and how it has affected his culinary exploits.

Other programming on the subject airing on WVIZ/PBS include:

Feagler & Friends, Friday, April 2 at 8:30 p.m.
Host Dick Feagler is joined by local experts in the field. 

Applause, Thursday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Musician Colin Dussault shares stories and music as he discusses his ongoing struggle to lose weight and how that has influenced his life and art.

ideastream’s multi-media coverage on FIGHTING FAT also includes resources online at health.ideastream.org.  Beginning April 1, a wealth of information will be available, including:
• Share your own story
• Read the stories of others who are fighting fat
• Listen and view on-demand:
o Hear in-depth reports on the many facets of obesity
o View the television broadcast of “Fighting Fat”
o Find multiple resource links for additional research and information

Funding for FIGHTING FAT comes from the Dr. Donald J. Goodman and Ruth Weber Goodman Philanthropic Fund of The Cleveland Foundation, The Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation, The McGregor Foundation, The Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation, Saint Luke’s Foundation and Woodruff Foundation