 FAT: What No One Is Telling You
Premiering April 11, 2007 at 9PM ET
Monthly Outreach Newsletter
April 2007
“It’s not an average workout but I wasn’t an average weight and in order to keep this weight off, I’ve got to do above and beyond what any of you guys would have to do. I’ve got to try twice as hard, sometimes three times as hard just to maintain this level of chubbiness.” Mary Dimino, from FAT: What No One Is Telling You
In this issue:
WELCOME to the FAT: What No One Is Telling You April Newsletter!
The broadcast premiere of FAT: What No One Is Telling You is rapidly approaching, so you’ll hear more about the show from different quarters. USA Today and The Today Show will feature FAT the week of the broadcast. And from what I know about outreach efforts and partnerships nationally, community activities in your markets will make news as well.
Just as The Forgetting did with Alzheimer’s disease, FAT aims not only to inform viewers, but to change the national conversation about obesity. Exactly what is no one is telling you about fat? We just have to eat less and move more, right? Well, anyone who has tried to shed pounds and keep them off knows that life is not that simple. FAT shows why it’s so tough to lose weight in modern society and how people struggling with their weight cope. FAT: What No One Is Telling You is also a compassionate view of life as a fat person in America. Recent studies show that the stigma and discrimination against fat people are not “motivators” for weight loss, but actually make the difficult process even harder. And believe me, as a fat person, I can tell you that very few of us want to be fat.
We need to stop shaking our fingers at those who are overweight and start changing the environment so it is easier for people to lead healthy lives. If we can begin the conversation with this broadcast event, perhaps communities, schools, families and parents will take up the mantle so that we can prevent this problem in the next generation.
We look forward to hearing from you about the activities in your communities surrounding this broadcast event. Please let us know what you are doing. Send updates to pbsfatinfo@tpt.org.
Enjoy the program.
Naomi S. Boak
Executive Producer
Tips on Keeping Your Outreach Alive Beyond Broadcast
We know you’re always thinking about sustaining your educational initiatives long after the television screen goes dark. Here are a few ideas to keep your community focused on FAT:
SHARE.
You no doubt already work with some amazing groups in your community, so offer the FAT resources to them. This will allow them to tailor the tools to their ongoing initiatives and keep FAT rolling in your community. Invite them to surf to www.tpt.org/pbsfatinfo and see where our resources fit into their current or upcoming programming. Then ask them to keep in touch—we’d like to hear their stories!
PARTNER.
Remember that the YMCA of America has joined us as a formal community outreach partner. Twin Cities Public Television has made posters available to participating YMCAs. DVDs will be distributed after the FAT broadcast to promote post-broadcast screening events. Visit www.ymca.net to locate your local chapter; you may be able to join forces to create sustainable programming around FAT.
RECOGNIZE.
Sometimes a small incentive works wonders in keeping the energy high and the activities moving forward. Can you solicit a local business to donate small prizes to offer to outreach superstars? A gift certificate for a healthy meal or a simple piece of workout gear can show you appreciate your employees’ or partners’ contributions.
MODEL.
Show your commitment to healthy habits right at your station. Invite coworkers or community outreach partners to simple FAT-inspired gatherings, like a regular “nutritious noshing” brown bag lunch or a weekly noon walk. Your participation is inspirational!
TRACK.
When you complete FAT-related programming, provide project leaders with outcome information, such as the number of participants, successes, and challenges. This tangible feedback may supply either the blueprint or the enthusiasm required for another round of initiatives!
Station Spotlights
GEORGIA PUBLIC TELEVISION hosted a phone bank for Heart Disease: The Hidden Epidemic and is gearing up to do the same for FAT: What No One Is Telling You. In addition, the network will complement the national special with a locally produced follow-up–using its weekly public affairs program, "Georgia Weekly," as a vehicle to spotlight the issue of obesity in Georgia.
TWIN CITIES PUBLIC TELEVISION will broadcast FAT in Spanish on its Minnesota Productions Channel. TPT received an NCO grant to conduct an 8-week Spanish language experiment that includes health programming, marketing and outreach support. The Spanish version of FAT will air June 10th and be a highlight of this “Latino Community Health Awareness Initiative.”
Outreach Tools in Spanish!
With the ever growing critical mass of Spanish speakers; how is your station reaching out to the Spanish-speaking community? Let FAT help! Visit http://tpt.org/pbsfatinfo/tools.html for downloadable outreach tip sheets, created by America On the Move and translated into Spanish.
Promoting FAT
Point, click, and PROMOTE! It’s really that simple to share the good news about FAT. Our online promotional toolkit features turnkey resources.
- Check out our NEW E-CARD! Visit: http://www.tpt.org/pbsfatinfo and click on “Send an E-card”.
- Download a FAT customizable press release template.
- Download customizable event flier and poster templates.
- Find all AOM-generated FAT tip sheets for your events.
Use these tools to spread to news. Visit: http://www.tpt.org/pbsfatinfo/tools.html
Don’t forget to write us about your promotional successes and questions: pbsfatinfo@tpt.org.
Coming Soon
Watch for updates and success stories about FAT and the upcoming Take One Step projects.
Contact Information
There are many people who can assist your station’s outreach efforts or answer questions about FAT: What No One Is Telling You.
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