Obesity Prevention, Race in Presidential Politics, Virtual Patients, Bullying vs. Cyberbullying and Grateful Teens Among Presentation Topics

Press Releases and EmbargoesThis online press kit includes media advisories and press releases for specific convention sessions or events. All press releases are embargoed for the time of presentation unless otherwise noted. A list of media advisories and press releases is included below with links. Papers and presentations will be provided upon request.

Press Room:Meeting Room W313, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando. Facilities will include wireless connections for laptops, high-speed printer, work space, telephones and APA staff resources. This room may also be the site of news briefings held during the convention.

Hours:Thursday, Aug. 2, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.Friday, Aug. 3, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.Saturday, Aug. 4, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

RegistrationMedia can register for the convention on site in the press room or in advance by contacting APA Public Affairs at [email protected] or 202-336-5700. Registration is limited to credentialed journalists and others who have assignment letters on the letterhead of a media organization and public information officers from universities, non-profit organizations and government agencies. Media can make hotel reservations at http://www.apa.org/convention/register-housing/hotels/index.aspx

Audio or Video RecordingAll news media must follow audio and video recording rules and are required to obtain permission from participants prior to recording. Permission forms are available at the APA Convention Press Office.

ProgramThe convention program is online. Printed programs will also be available on site. News releases and selected papers will be available electronically upon request.

MEDIA ADVISORY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEPSYCHOLOGY’S ESSENTIAL ROLE IN COMBATING CHILDHOOD OBESITY TO BE PRESENTED BY EXPERT PANELAmerican Psychological Association’s 120th Annual Convention Spotlights Behavioral Health Strategies Targeting Most Vulnerable Populations • Symposium: Session 1192, Presidential Program – Addressing Obesity and Health Disparities in the Nation’s Children, Thursday, Aug. 2, 12 to 1:50 p.m., Rooms W207B and C, Level II, Orange County Convention Center

• Presentations:o APA President Suzanne Bennett Johnson, PhD, Florida State University College of Medicine -- Welcoming Remarkso Monica J. Mitchell, PhD, associate professor of pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, will present Innovative Strategies to Improve Health Behaviors and Obesity in Urban Schools. o Barbara Fiese, PhD, professor and director of the Family Resiliency Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign -- Genes, Gossip, and Groceries: A contextual risk approach to childhood obesity.o Maureen Black, PhD, professor of pediatrics at the University of Maryland Medical Center -- Promoting Healthy Habits and Preventing Pediatric Obesity Through Family and Community Interventions. o Tami Jollie-Trottier, PhD, clinical psychologist, Indian Health Service -- Obesity in Indian Country. o David Janicke, PhD, associate professor of pediatric psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville -- Treatment of Pediatric Obesity in Underserved Community Settings o Roseanne L. Flores, PhD, associate professor of psychology, Hunter College of the City University of New York -- Summary and closing remarks

EMBARGOED PRESS RELEASESThursday, Aug. 2:

PSYCHOLOGY OF POSSIBILITIES CAN ENHANCE HEALTH, HAPPINESS, RESEARCH SAYSLecture to Feature Latest Findings on Mindfulness and Well-Being -- EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE AT 12:01 A.M. EDT• Presentation: “The Psychology of Possibility,” Ellen J. Langer, PhD, Harvard University, Session 2254, American Psychological Foundation Arthur W. Staats Lecture on Unifying Psychology, Friday, Aug. 3, 2 to 2:50 p.m., Room W304E, Level III, Orange County Convention Center

MODEST WEIGHT LOSS CAN HAVE LASTING HEALTH BENEFITS, RESEARCH SHOWSFood and Addiction Is Emerging Issue, Says Food Policy Expert -- EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE AT 5 P.M. EDT• Opening Session Keynote: Rena Wing, PhD, Brown University’s Alpert Medical School and Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center at The Miriam Hospital in Providence, R.I., and Kelly Brownell, PhD, director of Yale University’s Rudd Center for Food Policy, Session 1342, Thursday, Aug. 2, 5 p.m., Level IV, Valencia Ballroom, Orange County Convention Center

Friday, Aug. 3:

STUDENTS WITH STRONG HEARTS AND LUNGS MAY MAKE BETTER GRADES, STUDY FINDSPhysically Fit Boys and Girls Scored Higher on Reading and Math, Research Reveals -- EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE AT 10 A.M. EDT• Presentation: “Physical Fitness and Academic Performance: A Longitudinal Investigation,” Sudhish Srikanth, lead author, Trent A. Petrie, PhD, Christy Greenleaf, PhD, and Scott Martin, PhD, University of North Texas, Session 2120, Friday, Aug. 3, 10 to 10:50 a.m., Room W310A, Level III, Orange County Convention Center

NEW GENERATION OF VIRTUAL HUMANS HELPING TO TRAIN PSYCHOLOGISTSVirtual Veterans in Development for Training U.S. Military Personnel -- EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE AT 2 P.M. EDT • Presentation: “Virtual Reality Goes to War: Innovations in Military Behavioral Health Care,” Albert Rizzo, PhD, University of Southern California Institute for Creative Technologies, Session 2257, Friday, Aug. 3, 2 to 2:50 p.m., Rooms W206B and C, Level II, Orange County Convention Center

PSYCHOLOGY GIVES COURTS, POLICYMAKERS EVIDENCE TO HELP JUDGE ADOLESCENTS’ ACTIONS Emerging Neuroscience Shows Teens Mature Intellectually Before They Mature Emotionally, Experts Say -- EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE AT 3 P.M. EDT• Presentation: “Should the Science of Adolescent Brain Development Influence Public Policy?” Laurence Steinberg, PhD, Temple University, Session 2291, Friday, Aug. 3, 3 to 3:50 p.m., Room W205A, Level II, Orange County Convention Center

Saturday, Aug. 4:

LYING LESS LINKED TO BETTER HEALTH, NEW RESEARCH FINDSTelling Fewer Lies Tied to Improved Relationships, Too, According to Study -- EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE AT 12 P.M. EDT• Presentation: “A Life Without Lies: How Living Honestly Can Affect Health,” Anita E. Kelly, PhD, Session 3189, Saturday, Aug. 4, 12 to 12:50 p.m., Room W303C, Level III, Orange County Convention Center

CYBERBULLYING LESS FREQUENT THAN TRADITIONAL BULLYING, ACCORDING TO INTERNATIONAL STUDIESOnline Bullying is Often an Extension of In-person Tactics, Says Bullying Expert -- EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE AT 2 P. M. EDT• Presentation: “School Bullying: Development and Current Status,” Dan Olweus, PhD, University of Bergen, Norway, Session 3279, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2 to 2:50 p.m., Room W304H, Orange County Convention Center

RACE MAY PLAY SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, SURVEY FINDSVoters’ Racial Attitudes Can Influence Candidate Preference, Sometimes Unconsciously -- EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE AT 4 P.M. EDT• Presentation: “What Role Will Race Play in the 2012 Presidential Election?” Anthony G. Greenwald, PhD, University of Washington, Session 3356, Saturday, Aug. 4, 4 to 4:50 p.m., Rooms W206B and C, Orange County Convention Center

Sunday, Aug. 5:

GROWING UP GRATEFUL GIVES TEENS MULTIPLE MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS, NEW RESEARCH SHOWSMore Grateful Teens Less Likely to be Depressed, Delinquent, Study Finds -- EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE AT 12 P.M. EDT• Presentation: “Searching for the Developmental Role of Gratitude: A 4-year Longitudinal Analysis,” Giacomo Bono, PhD, California State University, Session 4151, Sunday, Aug. 5, 12 to 1:50 p.m., Room W104B, Level I, Orange County Convention Center

The American Psychological Association, in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States and is the world's largest association of psychologists. APA's membership includes more than 137,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance the creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people’s lives.# # #

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