| Feb. 2, 2010 CONTACT: Lorna Strong, department head for sports and exercise sciences, 806-651-2382, lstrong@wtamu.edu COPY BY: Rana McDonald, 806-651-2129, rmcdonald@wtamu.edu Childhood Obesity is Topic of WTAMU Distinguished Lecture CANYON, Texas—The Distinguished Lecture Series at West Texas A&M University will explore technology and “Childhood Obesity” in a presentation by Dr. Mark Tremblay at noon Feb. 4 on campus. Tremblay, director of Health, Active Living and Obesity Research Science at the University of Ottawa, will speak at noon in the Agriculture and Natural Sciences Building, Room 101. A question-and-answer session will follow at 1 p.m. The presentation and question-and-answer session are free and open to the public. His presentation will focus on today’s technology and its profound effect on physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns. Tremblay also will talk about health issues related to a sedentary behavior and how physical activity can be increased for healthy results. “We are excited to bring such a noted researcher to the West Texas A&M University students, faculty, and community,” Lorna Strong, department head for sports and exercise sciences, said. “Childhood obesity is a very timely topic, and his expertise on the subject will be beneficial to all.” Tremblay is an advocate for youth physical fitness and wellness and is internationally known for work related to child health and well being. He has received international recognition as an Advanced Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine and national recognition as an Advanced Fellow of the Obesity Society in recognition of his contribution in child health and childhood obesity studies. His research and teaching interests focus on pediatric exercise science, childhood obesity, physical education and health and physical activity and fitness. He earned two bachelor’s degrees from Laurentian University, one in communication and another in public health. In 1988 he received a master’s in community health from the Faculty of Medicine University of Toronto and completed his Ph.D. six years later in community health. While on campus, Tremblay will speak to students in sports and exercise sciences and meet with members of the WTAMU faculty. For more information about Tremblay’s public presentation, call Strong at 806-651-2382. —WTAMU— | 