Journalists invited to apply for free, four-day obesity fellowship

Kentucky journalists wanting to expand their knowledge on obesity, one of the most critical and widespread health issues in the state and nation, should apply for the fellowship "Obesity Issues: The Complete Skinny on Why We're Getting Fatter, What it Means, and What We Can Do About It."

The four-day fellowship, a collaboration between the National Press Foundation and the Colorado Center for Health and Wellness, includes round-trip transportation to Denver, lodging and most food costs. The application deadline is Feb. 13. Sixteen fellows will be chosen.

Fellows will learn about the biology of obesity; environmental factors; the relationship between obesity and chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, disease and Alzheimer's; the economics of obesity; how the health-care system responds; why it's difficult to change behavior; and strategies for a healthier workforce.

Speakers include James O. Hill, executive director of the Colorado Center for Health and Wellness; D. John Peters, a leading nutrition and obesity researcher; and other scholars from the  University of Colorado. To apply, click here.