CWRU experts to appear on WVIZ/PBS in live broadcast on obesity this weekend

On Saturday, Sept. 21, Case Western Reserve University experts and medical students will join WVIZ/PBS ideastream for a live broadcast engagement special on obesity titled “Be Well: Right Size Me.” The 90-minute special begins at noon with an encore presentation immediately following at 1:30 p.m.

The broadcast culminates ideastream’s yearlong focus on the escalating problem of obesity and its health consequences. Families will share real stories of struggles with obesity, and obesity experts will comment on the epidemic and describe programs and current obesity research.

Case Western Reserve University experts include: Patrick Catalano, professor of reproductive health who is affiliated with MetroHealth Medical Center; Shirley Moore, the Edward J. and Louise Mellen Professor of Nursing at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing; Sumana Narasimhan, assistant professor of pediatrics who is affiliated with Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital; and Eileen Seeholzer, associate professor of medicine who is affiliated with MetroHealth Medical Center.

Featured CWRU initiatives include the IMPACT study: Ideas Moving Parents and Adolescents to Change Together. Led by CWRU with Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, this seven-year research program helps families learn about healthy eating, weight management, getting better sleep, managing stress and staying active.

Also featured is a pioneering cooking curriculum for public housing residents funded by CWRU’s Urban Health Initiative, Amy R. Sheon, executive director with the Clinical and Translational Science Collaborative.

A prime goal of this special is to connect people with area resources to tackle obesity. Led by students in the school of medicine’s Urban Health Pathway program, medical students will field calls from viewers who will receive information on free obesity-related screenings (body mass index, high blood, pressure, glucose and cholesterol) and programs. The program provides an ongoing focus on urban health and community engagement throughout medical school, including participation in community initiatives.

Kirtishri Mishra, a founding member of the program and now in his third year of medical school, said, “We see that obesity affects the health of so many of our patients and welcome the chance to support this innovative event.”

ideastream viewers will also be able to find more information online at ideastream’s BeWell Health section, including health information from NetWellness, CWRU’s consumer health website with The Ohio State University and the University of Cincinnati.