Ellen Wartella, professor of communication, human development/sociology and psychology at Northwestern University, will present the 2012 Wayne Danielson Lecture. The former dean of the College of Communication, Wartella will discuss the extent of the childhood obesity crisis -- who it affects and its consequences -- and the nature of the food environment in American society and especially the disconnect between the foods marketed to children and what we call healthy diets. Also, recommendations from recent Institute of Medicine reports on how to attack childhood obesity will be presented. The lecture is free and open to the public.

When: 4-5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31

Where: Belo Center for New Media Auditorium, Room 2.106