About Karen

The fight against Childhood Obesity has been a passion of mine for almost 20 years. As a teenager I struggled with my weight, yet with a program of diet and exercise I was able to make a lifestyle change. Subsequently, I was fortunate enough to win a state teen pageant, and it was then that I realized my personal story: the opportunity the pageant system provided to reach out on a local and national level.

In 1995, I was Assistant Information Director at the Arkansas State Senate bending the ear of Lt. Governor Mike Huckabee about the importance of this issue. To my happiness, a Senate Bill was later passed, governing the types of foods and the times the vending machines were to be on in the schools in Arkansas. Arkansas is a state that now enforces BMI testing and informs the parents of the risks of being overweight.

To further join organization's efforts in changing lifestyles for a better generation, I am currently a Physician Assistant School at Harding University and will graduate from the program December 2011. After completion, I plan to specialize in Pediatrics (of some sort), to professionally help children improve their health. During this medical program, I started a new program for my Masters project called L.I.F.E. Skills. This program has been accepted by the CASA organization for part of their parenting curriculum. The response has been exciting and I hope to see this program grow Nationwide. It is truly a wealth of information in a three hour class, with tools to help parents improve and children to keep their homes!

I truly hope to continue gaining momentum with my fight promoting healthier lifestyles for children. Today, I am taking the next step as Mrs. Arkansas United States to run for the opportunity to represent Arkansas at the Mrs. United States pageant. This opportunity will provide me a chance to spread the program to our Nation, as Mrs. United States.

The Mrs. United States pageant is extraordinary! Their organization is truly the Olympics of self improvement. You can find more information about the pageant at mrsunitedstates.com.

I am a mother to two boys, Brendan Cole and Kameron. Brendan is my singer/songwriter with an amazing gift. Kameron is my tennis player with an extreme compassion for helping animals. I have coached soccer and been a commissioner for the league for nine seasons. This affords me the opportunity to be active with the kids and set an example to others. My husband and I love to fish, all kinds, whether it is fresh or saltwater. We also show German Shepherds, and Kameron is working on his skills as a junior handler for the United Schutzhund Clubs of America.

I have my B.S. and Masters of Science in Health Science with a minor in Communications. I have been speaking and promoting the changes families can make to help ensure their children have the best health possible.

Karen Pugh-Bartosh, M.S.
Mrs. Arkansas United States 2011

SOURCES:
CHILDHOOD OBESITY

	Portion sizes have greatly increased, there used to be only one size soft drink and french fry. It was a small.
	Children (with technology) spend more time inside with TV, videos, computers, etc.
	Divorce rate and parents on the go. "emotional eating" and lack of time due to activities.
	Processed foods and more sugar-based choices are everywhere.
	It is expensive to eat healthy. Purchasing organic & fresh costs three times the average fruit or vegetable.
	School food choices are terrible.
	Parents don't know how to stop it, and are unaware their child is overweight. 65% of Americans are overweight.