Kids Beating Obesity Celebrates First Year on WDCB-FM

“Kids Beating Obesity,” a weekly, 30-minute radio program produced and hosted by WDCB FM Public Radio in Glen Ellyn, recently celebrated its first anniversary with an eye on the future.

Co-hosted by local sports podiatrist Dr. Bob Weil (host of “The Sports Doctor” on WDCB) and former teacher and coach Rick Osbourne (who has written two books on the prevention of childhood obesity), “Kids Beating Obesity” has approached the topic of prevention from a variety of perspectives. During the upcoming months, two workshops aimed at educators and parents will be offered through College of DuPage's Continuing Education/Extended Learning division, while the KBO hosts are contacting First Lady Michelle Obama to discuss her “Let's Move” initiative.

“KBO is currently the only weekly radio show in the nation that's dedicated strictly to childhood obesity prevention, and we're really excited over the opportunity to play a lead role on such a critically important issue,” said Scott Wager, WDCB Station Manager. “It's a significant feather in the station's cap as well as the college itself. COD President Dr. Robert Breuder certainly gave it a personal high-five when we interviewed him several weeks ago.”

High-profile guests who have appeared on KBO include Dr. James Galloway, assistant U.S. Surgeon General; Betsy Landers, national PTA president, who explored the role of parents; Dr. James Winterstein, president of the National University of Health Sciences, who looked at prevention; Dr. Tommy Boone, founder of the American Society of Exercise Physiologists, who explored the role of body composition; Brian McCaskey, Chicago Bears senior director of Business Development, who explored the role of self-competition; and Dr. Keith Devlin, professor at Stanford University, who explored the role of measurement and Body Mass Index.

The station's new streaming audio capabilities provides access to KBO around the world through www.WDCB.org. Listeners simply select New Media, then WDCB Podcasts, and “Kids Beating Obesity.”

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he two workshops offered through Continuing Education will be aimed at specific audiences. “Functional Childhood Obesity Prevention for Education Professionals” will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23. “Functional

Childhood Obesity Prevention for Parents” will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, March 15. Each costs $44 and will meet on campus in Glen Ellyn. For more information about these workshops, call (630) 942-2208.