AETN Examines Workplace Wellness

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   The Arkansas Educational Television Network explores the benefits of workplace wellness in the next episode of “Fighting Fat,” airing Thursday, Feb. 22 at 8 p.m. Experts will discuss onsite workout facilities and employee participation in wellness programs.  

   The panel includes: Kellie Turpin, a licensed and registered dietician at Conway Regional Health and Fitness Center, and Andree Trosclair, vice president of human resources at Arkansas Children's Hospital. February’s Fitness Witness is Kathryn Shinn of Lonoke. Her love of dancing has led her to losing more than more than 65 pounds in the past six months. She has adopted a regular exercise routine, begun eating more vegetables and lean meats and cut down on breads and starches.  

   “Fighting Fat” provides practical tips and relevant information aimed at helping Arkansans live healthier and fit lives. Studies show that 300,000 to 400,000 Americans die each year due to obesity-related illnesses. Arkansas is third in the nation in obesity and fifth in diabetes. More than eight percent of children ages zero to five years are obese, and 15.2 percent of ninth through 12^th graders are obese. The monthly, hour-long program hosted by Pamela Smith of KATV-Channel 7, includes four main components: 

§         A healthy living segment that illustrates a healthier lifestyle through fitness and nutrition. 

§         A Crazy, Busy, Fit segment featuring exercise physiologist and motivational speaker Andy Core. He provides exercises, motivation, interviews and healthy hints on developing a winning fitness plan, regardless of age or health restraints. 

§         A Fitness Witness segment, during which an Arkansan shares his or her motivational story on how to lose weight and maintain good health successfully. 

§         A panel of experts who discuss various topics. Major funding for the production of Fighting Fat is provided by The Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The foundation was established in 2001 to promote better health in Arkansas and awards grants annually to non-profit or governmental organizations and programs that positively affect the health of Arkansans. 

   The Arkansas Educational Television Network (www.aetn.org) provides lifelong learning opportunities, improves and enhances Arkansans’ lives and celebrates the unique culture of Arkansas through its programming. AETN’s six transmitters and numerous cable system connections give it statewide reach.