February 21, 2005 Contact: Judith Schaefer

For Immediate Release

KEEPING OUR CHILDREN HEALTHY AND FIT

New KOCE Series Examines Food and Fitness Issues for OC Kids

Most people are aware of the alarming increase in obesity among the nation’s children. Orange County and California rates of overweight and obesity exceeded national averages – a leadership role we don’t want to maintain.

Emerging from an immediate interest and concern for Orange County’s children is a new four-part, hour-long series of live “Real Orange Call-In Specials,” called OUR CHILDREN’S HEALTH, examining important health issues affecting children, and ways concerned residents are taking action. The first episode, “OC Kids: Food and Fitness,” premieres Monday, February 28 at 6:30 p.m. on KOCE. The programs are hosted by “Real Orange” co-anchors Ed Arnold and Ann Pulice.

Subsequent programs will examine children’s oral health care, childhood asthma, and children’s mental health and will air quarterly on KOCE during 2005. Viewers can find out about available resources, and learn how they can help to make Orange County the health-conscious community we all want for our children.

Guests will include expert panelists such as OC Superintendent of Schools Bill Habermahl and Boys and Girls Club/Second Harvest Director Denise Stupak, as well as others who represent education, government, health services, and local youth and recreational organizations. These experts will offer advice, showcase local solutions, and answer questions from viewers who call in to (714) 895-5050 during the programs.

As groups of concerned local residents, educators, business leaders and policymakers work together to address children’s health problems, several key areas of concern were identified:

· Schools, homes & child care environments that promote healthy food and

fitness

· Counteracting aggressive marketing of less healthy foods to children

· Safe places for active play in communities

· Access to affordable, healthy food

· Restaurants and markets that support healthy food choices

· Walkable & safe neighborhoods and communities

· A full range of needed health services for overweight children at risk

The above areas and others will be addressed in OUR CHILDREN’S HEALTH.

OUR CHILDREN’S HEALTH, a series of “Real Orange Call-In Specials,” is produced by KOCE, PBS from Orange County, and made possible by a grant from The HealthCare Foundation for Orange County and Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). Mike Taylor is Producer/News Director and Ed Miskevich is Executive Producer.

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