Press

Because of our expertise and innovative research, members of the Obesity Prevention Initiative are often asked to lend their knowledge to the media. Below are a few examples of OPI featured in major media outlets.

Fit Kids: Sugary Drinks Continue to Play Role in Childhood Obesity, February 9, 2015
Epidemiologist Dr. Y. Claire Wang, co-director of the Obesity Prevention Initiative at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, says cutting sugary drinks out of kids' diets can do a lot to reduce the number of overweight children.

Teens Who Average Six Hours of Sleep a Night More Likely to Be Obese, September 15, 2014
Teenagers who get an average of six hours of sleep a night are 20 percent more likely to be obese by the age of 21, compared to their peers who get eight or more hours of sleep, according to a study led by Dr. Shakira Suglia that recently appeared in the Journal of Pediatrics.

Neighborhood Park Features Associated with Body Mass Index, August 11, 2014
The size and cleanliness of a neighborhood park has a strong association to the body mass index (BMI) of the neighborhood’s residents, according to research by Dr. Andrew Rundle, Dr. Gina Lovasi, and colleagues. Findings are published online in the journal Preventive Medicine.

Soda may make children more likely to destroy things, attack others, August 16, 2013
A study by Dr. Shakira Suglia found a significant relation between soda consumption and three specific behaviors most indicative of aggression: destroying things belonging to others, getting into fights and physically attacking people. Also picked up by WebMD, Reuters, Fox News, among others.

Soda Ban Would Target Heavy Youth, Not Poor, June 12, 2013
A limit on soda size may lead to a decrease in calories consumed, especially in overweight children and young adults. Dr. Y. Claire Wang's recent study shows that a smaller soda would “target the right people.”

Obesity Linked to Prostate Cancer, Study Finds, April 23, 2013
A study reveals that obese men are more likely to have benign prostate biopsies yield precancerous legions on follow-up biopsies.  Dr. Andrew Rundle shares the significance of his research’s findings.

Despite Obesity Rise, U.S. Calories Trending Downward, March 6, 2013
It appears Americans are cutting the calories, but not the weight. Dr. Y. Claire Wang provides insight into why this may be the case.

Is the Tide Turning on Childhood Obesity?, January 11, 2013
The U.S. appears to be turning the tide against obesity. Dean Linda P. Fried and Dr. Salley E. Findley reviews the progress that has been made in fighting childhood obesity.

Troubled Homes May Fuel Obesity in Girls, May 1, 2012
Girls growing up with social stressors in the home, such as housing and food insecurity, may be more likely to become obese. Dr. Shakira Suglia discusses the results of the study, which was also picked up by CNN, among other media outlets.