ABC NEWS & TIME MAGAZINE TO TAKE IN-DEPTH LOOK AT NATION’S OBESITY EPIDEMIC

Almost one in every three American adults is obese, up from nearly one in four just 10 years ago. From 1960 to 2000, obesity rates among U.S. adults ages 20 to 74 have more than doubled, rising from 13.3% to 30.9%. Fifteen percent of children ages 6 to 19 -- a total of 9 million children -- are overweight or obese, up from 5% in 1980.

To look at what’s behind this growing national health epidemic and address solutions, ABC News will take a comprehensive look at the obesity crisis in America with extensive reports across its television, radio and internet platforms. TIME Magazine’s issue on newsstands Mon., May 31st will be devoted to the topic.

“Obesity is one of the most important challenges in public health today,” says David Westin, President of ABC News. “What are the responsibilities of individuals, families and schools? What role can science play? What about the government and the media? This comprehensive coverage will examine the root of the problem and discuss realistic solutions.”

“Obesity is such an ugly word that many Americans who are obese shy away from discussing the problem," says Jim Kelly, Managing Editor of TIME Magazine. “But getting over that shame is the first step in understanding the complex reasons why a growing number of Americans are seriously overweight. This conference is about offering solutions, not about finger wagging."

Beginning Sunday May 30th with “World News Tonight Sunday” and continuing with “World News Now,” “World News This Morning,” “Good Morning America,” “World News Tonight with Peter Jennings” and “Nightline,” ABC News will report “Critical Condition: America’s Obesity Crisis.”

The coverage will include an exclusive, extensive national public opinion poll conducted for ABC News and TIME Magazine - one of the most detailed ever produced on the topic - covering Americans' attitudes, policy preferences and personal experiences across a range of issues related to the obesity epidemic.

TIME and ABC News also will co-sponsor a Summit on Obesity June 2-4 in Williamsburg, Virginia. Peter Jennings will anchor “World News Tonight” from the summit on Thursday, June 3 and will moderate a panel on marketing to children. ABC News Medical Editor Dr. Tim Johnson will also moderate a panel and deliver remarks at the opening session. ABC News will have a team reporting from the summit. TIME.com also will provide daily reports June 2-4 from the summit. A live webcast of the summit will be provided by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which is presenting the summit. Both ABCNEWS.com and TIME.com will link to the RWJF site.

Throughout the week, ABC News programs will report on the causes of obesity, proposed solutions and proven successes, including:

- The reported dangers of obesity - Dr. Tim Johnson separates the facts from the myths – is there an Obesity Myth?

- The connection between obesity and poverty – Michel Martin examines the link. It is expensive to eat a healthy diet.

- Children are bombarded everyday with a barrage of candy, sugared cereal and junk food marketing. Bob Woodruff looks at billions of dollars industry makes from sales to children and the impact it has on children’s diets.

- The connection between public health and urban design - Mike von Fremd reports the results of a study that has found a strong link between body mass index and the walkability of one’s neighborhood. Suburban neighborhoods have increased America’s waistline.

- A Georgia school principal who turned around her own weight problem, applying what she learned to her school with dramatic results. John McKenzie looks at whether this could work for other schools.

- Diet and exercise products that make false weight loss claims. Good Morning America’s Consumer Correspondent Greg Hunter reveals the results of a consumer investigation.

- How do you talk to children– particularly overweight and obese kids about eating right? Tamala Edwards asks experts how to raise healthy eaters.

- An Ohio father who has convinced an entire community to stop taking the bus and start walking to school. Good Morning America’s Parenting Contributor Anne Pleschette Murphy introduces heroes in the war on obesity.

ABC News Radio will air a one-hour special “Critical Condition: America’s Obesity Crisis” that feature profiles of American adults and children battling severe weight problems, as well as doctors and nutritionists on the front line of the obesity fight.

ABCNEWS.com will provide companion coverage for ABCNEWS broadcasts, as well as exclusive online features, including reports on innovative strategies some communities are adopting to tackle obesity, polling data on how Americans view obesity on both a personal level and as a public health issue, an interactive look at domestic and international obesity trends, tips for parents and educators, and online discussion forums allowing readers to share thoughts, ideas – and recipes – for avoiding obesity-related health issues.

ABCNEWS LIVE will carry panel discussions moderated by Peter Jennings and Dr. Timothy Johnson from the TIME/ ABC News summit live and in their entirety.

The TIME/ABC News Summit on Obesity, presented by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, will draw together leaders from medicine and science, government, education, business, academia and media to advance knowledge and focus attention on solutions to turn this epidemic around. Topics scheduled to be addressed at the summit include:

- What science tells us about the causes of obesity

- How public-private partnerships can make a difference

- How much personal responsibility must the individual accept for their obesity

- The impact of the barrage of ads targeted to kids and how advertisers can use their power over children to help promote healthier lifestyles

- Practical solutions to make schools healthier

- The responsibility of the food industry and the changes being made

- Do the media do a bad job of covering the obesity crisis?

For more information on the summit and scheduled participants please go to:

www.TIME.com/obesity.

- ABC -

ABC News Contact: Cathie Levine (212) 456-4934

TIME Magazine Contact: Diana Pearson (212) 522-0833