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Child anxiety, Mating and dating, Weight problems, and Committment phobia were the recent topics of the APA Division 42 media relations program. Several Division 42 members have conducted interviews and we thank them for their time and their prompt responses.
- Dr. Linda Noval conducted a radio interview with KEX-AM Radio in Portland, OR on Child Anxiety
- Dr. Herbert Levit conducted a radio interview with WDSY Radio in Pittsburgh, PA on Child Anxiety. It aired on all three area Infinity Broadcasting stations – WDSY, WBZZ, and WZPT
- Dr. Ellen Stern and Dr. Russ Brethauer were both interviewed by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in Milwaukee, WI for an article about Child Anxiety.
- Dr. Victor Nahmias conducted a radio interview with KTAR Radio in Phoenix, AZ on Singles and Dating.
- Dr. Adele Besner was interviewed by the World Herald in Miami, FL for an article about Child Anxiety.
- Dr. Azaria Akashi conducted a radio interview with WCLT Radio in Newark, OH on Obesity.
- Dr. Margaret Houlihan conducted a radio interview with WGIV Radio in Charlotte, NC on Obesity.
- Dr. Janet Wallcyzk was interviewed by the Connecticut Post in Bridgeport, CT for an article about Marriage and Divorce.
If you would like to initiate an interview with a local newspaper on obesity, here’s what you can do. Fax or mail this letter on your letterhead to your local medical or health newspaper reporter. Make one follow-up call to the reporter. Ask if they received your letter and would they consider the subject for an upcoming story. Offer to be interviewed on this and future stories.
[Date]
[your hometown paper]
Dear Medical/Health Reporter:
According to a recent report by the U.S. Surgeon General, 61% of Americans are now significantly overweight, compared with 55% in the early 1990s, and 46% in the late 1970s. Obesity generates $117 billion in annual medical bills and triggers 300,000 premature deaths each year. So many Americans are now overweight that one attorney is actually suing the junk-food industry for making Americans obese!
Americans now spend more on fast food than they do on movies, books, magazines, newspapers videos and recorded music combined. They spend more on mass-produced burgers than on higher education, or computers, or cars. More than 90% of American children eat at McDonald’s at least once a month, and the average American eats three hamburgers and four orders of fries every week according to Fast Food Nation.
Restaurants and food companies have a vested economic interest in making tasty food and in increasing per capita consumption. In this country, food is delicious, cheap, and readily available. Combine that with some individual’s need to use food to fill emptiness, provide good feelings, and soothe all kinds of upsets, and it is no wonder that our average weight keeps increasing. Many people need psychological help to confront the reasons for their recourse to food and to bring their consumption patterns into a saner balance.
I am a licensed psychologist and would be happy to speak with you on this subject. You can reach me at my office at (---)--------. I can explain that some patients may simply need basic behavioral weight loss treatment, for instance, while others suffering from depression and low self-esteem may require more specialized treatment.
Your readers can call toll-free 1-877-603-4000 for a free brochure called “Straight Talk - Choosing a Psychologist.”
APA’s Psychologists in Independent Practice represents independent
psychologists, each of whom is a doctoral level professional licensed by his or her particular state. When you need to talk to someone who can help, you need an experienced, licensed psychologist.
I look forward to speaking with you.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
And below is how Division 42 member, Dr. Sandy Ceren, turned this piece into “Ask Dr. Ceren” for her local newspaper:
ASK DR. CEREN
IT’S NOT MY FAULT. BLAME MY GENES!
While obesity may run in families, it is usually the high calorie food one becomes accustomed to as a child that creates the problem. After trying various methods to lose weight riding a roller coaster of loss and gain, it is no wonder that some people may blame their inability to sustain a healthy weight on their genes. After all, they’ve made the effort, but they can’t keep the pounds from returning.
Blaming one’s genes is not the answer. You cannot help your body type, but you can sculpt muscles through exercise, and you can reduce your body weight through lessened caloric intake and alert yourself to the fat calories in various foods. This requires a sustained effort which will in a short time become an effortless pattern of appropriate food selection and consumption accompanied by at least one half hour of daily exercise.
Although we’re considered a vain society, a recent report by the U.S. Surgeon General states 61% of Americans are now significantly overweight, compared with 55% in the early 1990s, and 46% in the late 1970s.
Obesity presents a health danger, diabetes and heart disease, the most significant and generating $117 billion in annual medical bills. Obesity triggers 300,000 premature deaths each year. So many Americans are now overweight that one attorney is actually suing the junk-food industry for making Americans obese!
Americans now spend more on fast food than they do on movies, books, magazines, newspapers videos and recorded music combined. They spend more on mass-produced burgers than on higher education, or computers, or cars. More than 90% of American children eat at a fast food hamburger place at least once a month, and the average American eats three hamburgers and four orders of fries every week according to Fast Food Nation.
Restaurants and food companies have a vested economic interest in making tasty food and in increasing per capita consumption. In this country, food is delicious, cheap, and readily available. Combine that with some individual’s need to use food to fill a sense of emptiness, to comfort and provide good feelings, and soothe all kinds of upsets, and it is no wonder that our average weight keeps increasing.
When contemplating a class reunion, a quick weight-loss programs using drugs or special formulas may offer a temporary fix, but the weight will rise as soon as the person stops the program. These methods should be regarded temporary and are not recommended.
For optimal health and permanent weight loss, a change in eating habits is vital.
A realistic approach involves an acceptance that low-calorie, low-fat healthy food tastes good. You can develop a taste for steamed veggies and learn to discern the distinct flavor of each veggie, formerly disguised by a rich sauce. The amount of food can be reduced, too. Drink more water. At least eight glass fulls a day. Many people mistake thirst for hunger.
If serious about weight loss, one must accept the fact that a reasonable time for a ten percent reduction in body weight is six months. Be patient.
As a psychologist, I endorse programs that have a long history of success and that emphasize good eating habits. Such programs do not require purchase of their food or tablets. They also offer support from other members.
Many people need psychological help to confront the reasons for their recourse to food and to bring their consumption patterns into a saner balance. Some patients may simply need basic behavioral weight loss treatment while others suffering from depression and low self-esteem may require more specialized treatment.
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