Jared brings weight-loss message to Morgantown: Subway dieter part of Festival of Ideas

By Nicole Bowman

Apr. 9, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) --
FESTIVAL OF IDEAS event info: events.wvu.edu.

The battle to lose weight is a personal one for Jared Fogle.

"I was an overweight kid who turned into an even heavier teenager who turned into an obese young adult -- and this negatively affected every aspect of my life," he said. The spokesman for Subway then shed those pounds -- dropping from 425 to 190 pounds during his college days through his "Subway Diet."

Ten years later, he is still keeping the weight off. And he hopes to help prevent other people from making some of the same mistakes that led to his weight gain when he visits Morgantown today.

At 10:30 a.m., Fogle is scheduled to visit North Elementary School, on Chestnut Ridge Road in Morgantown, sharing his battle with childhood obesity, and encouraging students to eat right and stay active.

"With kids, I try to impart with them some of the things I've learned," he said. "I share my story about battling childhood obesity, and I hope they learn to make better choices than I did when I was growing up.

"I love talking to kids," he said. "When you know you get through to them, it's neat."

At 7:30 p.m., Fogle will speak at WVU's Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center Learning Center Auditorium on "Living Well -- Tips to Leading a Healthy Life." The speech, part of the Festival of Ideas lecture series, is free to the public. Seating is on a first-come, firstserved basis.

Fogle said tonight's speech will be more detailed and longer than his discussion at the elementary school.

"I think we're seeing a polarizing situation develop" over obesity, he said. "You have fanatics who are really into losing weight on one side and some people who don't want to lose the weight on the other. I think that's what makes my message so much more important now."

WVU Wellness Program Manager Kimberly Zaph said Fogle is a positive role model who has a powerful message.

"From what I understand, Jared is able to maintain his weight around 190 pounds. While he still eats at Subway, he also eats other healthy foods and walks whenever he can," she said. "I look forward to hearing Jared's powerful message, especially his experiences as an obese child.

"In the midst of all the unhealthy weight loss options, it's refreshing to see him promote proper nutrition and exercise as the recipe for creating a healthy body composition," Zaph said. "Obesity can be devastating to physical and emotional health, so we need positive role models like Jared to inspire people of all ages who struggle with weight management."

Toni Christian, director of Benefits Administration, which oversees Employee Wellness, said, "We are so pleased to be involved in bringing Jared to campus. His story resonates with the public because most see him as a 'regular guy' -- just struggling like many people do with weight and health issues."

Fogle first appeared in Subway commercials in 2000. Eight years later, he said he is still surprised by his notoriety.

"I never thought I'd be doing something like this in a million years," he said. "It's been a surreal experience, to say the least."

While Fogle hasn't been in West Virginia in several years, he is looking forward to visiting Morgantown.

"I'm really excited," he said. "I especially like university towns. I can't wait to meet everyone when I'm in town."

Fogle participates in the American Heart Association's Heart Walk, and visits public schools and colleges. He still appears in Subway commercials and promotions, including a current campaign to retire his famous "fat pants."

A few years ago, Fogle started the Jared Foundation in hopes of preventing childhood obesity. It will provide grants for educational programs targeting children who face obesity-related issues. He will travel the country raising money to fund grassroots programs and organizations that share his mission.

"I am starting The Jared Foundation to help kids who are in the same situation I was in growing up," Fogle said. "Now I am in a position where I can have some influence with kids and, hopefully, can help them learn to make better choices."

The Festival series is produced by WVU Arts & Entertainment and is in its 13th year. The series has featured historians, scholars, politicians, journalists and entertainers, including poet Maya Angelou, author Gore Vidal, filmmaker Spike Lee, journalist Judith Miller, former South African President F.W. de Klerk and cast members from MTV's "The Real World".

The lecture at WVU is co-sponsored by the Division of Human Resources Employee Wellness Program and Arts & Entertainment.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0251-24372435