ADVISORY/Release of New Report to Take the First Step to Combat Los Angeles County's Childhood Obesity Crisis.

News Editors/Assignment Desks/Health Writers

ADVISORY...for Thursday (March 18)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

WHAT:           In response to an alarming report released today by
                the Los Angeles County's Department of Public Health
                that illustrates that a significant number of lower
                income Angelinos who are food insecure are also
                impacted by the County's expanding obesity crisis, a
                collaborative of over 100 local health and nutrition
                organizations and schools will release a report at a
                press conference today that serves up a simple
                solution: eat a healthy breakfast.

WHY:            Nearly half of L.A. county children regularly skip
                breakfast resulting in higher school absenteeism,
                poorer academic performance, increased disciplinary
                problems, lower graduation rates, higher health care
                costs and a greater risk of overweight.

WHO:            Jose Huizar, President, Los Angeles Unified School
                Board, author of resolution to establish second chance
                breakfast in all LAUSD schools.
                Rafer Johnson, former Olympian and co-founder of the
                Special Olympics
                Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of Public
                Health and Health Officer
                Dr. Francine K. Kaufman, Director, Comprehensive
                Diabetes Center, USC Children's Hospital
                Susan Foerster, Chief, Cancer Prevention and Nutrition
                Section, California Department of Health Services

WHERE:          A central press conference will be held at Alexandria
                Elementary School, 4211 Oakwood Avenue, Los Angeles,

WHEN:           Thursday, March 18 at 9:15 a.m.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES:

                --  Children crowd around Olympians, County
                    Supervisors, school principals and health experts
                    while devouring the fresh fruits and breakfast
                    foods that Alexandria Elementary School offers
                    daily free-of-charge to all students

                --  An array of healthy breakfast options

OTHER EVENTS:   A number of other sites are also hosting events March
                18 to release the report:

                --  El Monte City School District, Durfee School
                    Cafeteria, 12233 Star Ave., El Monte is hosting a
                    "Bring Your Parents to Breakfast" celebration from
                    7 to 7:45 a.m. For more information contact Jill
                    Lancaster, R.D., Assistant Director of Food
                    Service, [phone] or Lauren Metzner, M.P.H.,
                    R.D., [phone]

                --  Alhambra School District, Northrup Elementary, 409
                    S. Atlantic Blvd., Alhambra is hosting a
                    "Nutrition Olympics" from 8:50 to 9:30 a.m. For
                    more information contact Judy Huffaker, R.D.,
                    Nutrition Education Specialist, [phone]