Press Releases
Press Release #1
Contact: Christina Sheridan FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Telephone: 555/555-5555
E-mail: cls62@pitt.edu
PITTSBURGH PUBIC SCHOOL DISTRICT TO HOLD FREE HEALTHY COOKING EXPOSITION
A Workshop Helping Parents Prepare Healthier Meals to be Held on March 20
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The Pittsburgh Public School district is hosting a healthy cooking exposition, featuring well-known local chef John Smith. The event will be held at Schenley High School on Thursday, March 20th at 7:30pm. It is open to the general public and completely free. Parents are encouraged to attend to learn how to prepare healthy meals for their families.
Childhood obesity is a fast-growing epidemic in America. The National Center for Health Statistics indicates than an estimated 17% of children between the ages of 2-17 were overweight in 2004. This is a 6% increase from the previous decade. Studies have shown that overweight children are at a higher risk for numerous health conditions including hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, asthma, and heart disease. Maintaining a nutritious diet is one important way for children to keep up a healthy lifestyle, and decrease the risk of becoming overweight.
While there are many contributors to the problem, a major factor is children’s limited consumption of nutritious meals. With Americans’ fast paced lifestyles, few families have the time to prepare and sit down to a home-cooked meal. Commonly chosen alternatives are fast food and chain restaurants. These alternatives fail to provide healthy dinners for children.
The healthy cooking exposition aims to encourage parents to take time out of their evenings and prepare nutritious meals for their families. It is important for parents be actively involved in creating a healthier environment for their children. Chef John Smith will be demonstrating how to cook a number of healthy meals, in a short amount of time. Great recipes and time-saving hints will be distributed to all those in attendance.
Parents who feel as though they are constantly on the go are encouraged to take a night away from their hectic lives, come to Schenley High School, relax and learn how to prepare nutritious meals for yourself and your family.
This event is being sponsored by Healthy Childhood Lifestyles. HCL is an organization which aims to educate American society on the causes of childhood obesity and the potential health risks involved. They also promote ways in which adults can help children adapt healthier lifestyles. For more information please visit our website at www.healthychildren.org or contact the event coordinator, Christina Sheridan, at cls62@pitt.edu.
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This press release is intended for local news papers such as the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. (Note: This event and organization are made up)
Press Release #2
Contact: Christina Sheridan FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Telephone: 1-800-555-5555
E-mail: cls62@pitt.edu
RESTRICT YOUR CHILD’S TELEVISION TIME WITH MEDIA MODERATOR
A Technological Development to Benefit Children’s Health
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A majority of American kids can be found in front of the television or computer with a snack on any given afternoon after school. As the instances of childhood obesity continue to rise in our country, parents need to become more aware of the environment their children are being brought up in. A high level of sedentary activity combined with the overconsumption of fatty snack foods is recipe for childhood obesity.
The new technology, Media Moderator, allows parents to control how much time their children spend in front of the television and on the internet. This easy to install device is connected between the television and its electricity supply. Simply put, it restricts the amount of time the television can be turned on each week, which is set and controlled by the administrator. When a child’s weekly allowance has been used up they will be unable to turn on the television until the following week when the apparatus resets. Multiple accounts with different PIN numbers can be set up for individual children within a household.
There are many benefits of this product: it reduces arguments over TV, increases quality family time, and enriches children’s lives. Studies using Media Moderator show reduced obesity levels in children. With this device, children are not only required to find alternative activities to occupy their time but are also less likely to consume unhealthy snack foods after school. These alterations in lifestyle help move toward a healthier America.
Media Moderator is a company whose product aims to reduce the amount of time children spend in front of the television on a regular basis. Its goal is for parents to restrict the amount of sedentary time children spend watching TV and replace it with physical activity. For more information, or to purchase the Media Moderator please visit their website www.mediamoderator.com or call toll free 1-800-555-5555.
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This press release is to be distributed to local news stations such as KDKA. Promotion of the new product on the evening news is likely to reach a large and diverse audience. (Note: I made up this product and website, although I do believe similar devices do exist).
Press Release #3
Contact: Christina Sheridan FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Telephone: 555/555-5555
E-mail: cls62@pitt.edu
CHILDHOOD OBESITY: CAUSES AND POTENTIAL RISKS
An Inside Look at the Growing Obesity Epidemic
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The United States is currently experiencing high rates of childhood obesity, which are continually on the rise. Many Americans are uninformed of the unhealthy environment in which we raise our children, and the dangerous health risks coinciding with obesity. Statistics show that overweight children are much more likely to experience health complications at a young age, continuing into adulthood.
Common sense tells us that a high-calorie diet and minimum exercise coincides with weight gain. The fast paced society we live in leaves little time for the preparation of nutritious meals for children. Families constantly on the go often consume fast food for its convenience. These foods offer little, if any, nutritious value for children or adults.
In addition to poor eating habits, many schools fail to offer adequate physical education programs for students of all ages. Children are consequently left less motivated to pursue active lifestyles outside of gym class. There is less time to dedicate to family activities such as bike rides or walks in the park because many households have two parents employed full time. All of these things affect the environment surrounding children, indirectly encouraging them to partake in higher amounts of sedentary behavior.
Childhood obesity is directly correlated to high risks of health problems. Overweight children experience higher rates of hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, asthma, and heart disease. These are serious health conditions which cannot be ignored. In addition to physical health consequences, obese children also experience psychological damage. Overweight children are more susceptible to bullying from their peers which can harm their self image. Adolescence is a crucial time for children to build up a positive self esteem, and obesity hinders this development. Studies have shown that all of the health risks involved with childhood obesity continue on to adulthood.
Healthy Childhood Lifestyles (HCL) is an organization which aims to educate American society on the causes of childhood obesity and the potential health risks involved. They also promote ways in which adults can help children adapt healthier lifestyles. For more information please visit our website at www.healthychildren.org, or e-mail Christina Sheridan at cls62@pitt.edu.
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This press release is intended for news stations across the country, as well as local newspapers, magazines and other media outlets. The purpose is to spread the word about the causes and risks of childhood obesity so that people can begin to take action fighting against it. (Note: The organization was made up, as well as the website).
Press Release #4
Contact: Christina Sheridan FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Telephone: 555/555-5555
E-mail: cls62@pitt.edu
STEPS TOWARDS A HEALTHY AMERICA–LOWERING CHILDHOOD OBESITY RATES
Small Lifestyle Changes Which Can Make a Big Difference
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The number of overweight children in the United States is continuously on the rise with no sign of stopping. Knowing the numerous health risks involved with childhood obesity, Americans must begin taking small steps towards a healthier lifestyle. Healthy Childhood Lifestyles is an organization whose efforts help obese children lose weight, and prevent more children from becoming overweight.
Poor diet is one of the biggest problems leading to childhood obesity. Parents have to be more aware of the foods their children are consuming. Healthy Childhood Lifestyles offers recommended recipes of quick and easy meals that are child friendly. Preparing a nutritious and well-balanced meal each night is a great way to start! They also express the importance of cutting back on junk food and snacking. Children need to be encouraged to eat healthy snacks, such as fruits and vegetables, instead of potato chips and candy
Parents are also encouraged to guide their children towards a more active lifestyle. Simple adaptations, such as walking to the local convenience instead of driving, are one way to increase the exercise level in children. In addition, families should plan activities such as walks in the park or bike rids to keep children active. Studies have shown that children with overweight parents are more likely to become overweight themselves. Parents need to set a good example for their children and teach them the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
Small changes can make a big difference!
Healthy Childhood Lifestyles (HCL) is an organization which aims to educate American society on the causes of childhood obesity and the potential health risks involved. They also promote ways in which adults can help children adapt healthier lifestyles. For more information please visit our website at www.healthychildren.org, or e-mail Christina Sheridan at cls62@pitt.edu.
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This press release is intended for news stations across the country, as well as local newspapers, magazines and other media outlets. The purpose is to educate the general public on simple ways to promote healthy lifestyles in children. (Note: The organization was made up, as well as the website).
Press Release #5
Contact: Christina Sheridan FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Telephone: 555/555-5555
E-mail: cls62@pitt.edu
FUNFIT PROGRAM TO BE IMPLIMENTED IN PITTSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Pittsburgh Public Schools to Try FUNFIT Program in Physical Education Classes
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Pittsburgh Public Schools are beginning to implement the FUNFIT program into their physical education classes. FUNFIT is a program which encourages children to keep active in and outside of the gymnasium. It raises the activity level of standard gym classes, and individualizes exercise programs for children.
FUNFIT has been implemented in numerous schools around the country with a high success rate. Studies have shown that children participating in the program have lower obesity levels, and better overall health. With the number of overweight children on the rise, the potential benefits are astronomical.
While the program focuses mainly on physical education classes, encouraging students to exercise more frequently, it also includes a health education segment. This division of the program educates children on the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It encourages them to keep a nutritious diet and exercise on a regular basis.
Pittsburgh Public Schools intend to implement the program within the next month. It is important for parents to be aware of and support this change in the physical education program. It is just one of the efforts the school district is making to battle the growing childhood obesity epidemic.
The FUNFIT program adapts physical education programs in schools to provide children with a more individualized exercise plan. It focuses on students as individuals, rather than a large group. Each child is different, and FUNFIT’s purpose is to focus on these differences to do what’s best for all students involved in the program. For more information please visit www.funfit.com, or contact Christina Sheridan at 555/555-5555 or cls62@pitt.edu.
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This press release is for distribution to local newspapers (such as the Post-Gazette) and news stations (KDKA). It is intended for a wide audience, primarily parents of children in the Pittsburgh Public School District. (Note: I made up this program and the website).
DISCLAIMER: These materials were created to satisfy the requirements for “Writing for the Public,” a course in the Public and Professional Writing program at the University of Pittsburgh. While the research itself is accurate, some situations were constructed in the interest of exploring a variety of approaches to risk communication.
