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- Obesity is fast becoming a national epidemic
- In 2000, 64% of all adults in the United States were either overweight or obese
- Over the last 20 years, rates of obesity have doubled in children and tripled in adolescents
- Indiana ranks among the nation's most obese states
- In 2001, 40% of Wells County fourth grade students were at risk for overweight or already overweight
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommend all children should have their Body Mass Index evaluated yearly
- A BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese in adults www.shapeup.org
- Obesity-related health costs are approaching the health care costs of cigarette smoking
- From 1979-1999 annual hospital costs for treating obesity-related diseases in children rose threefold from $35 million to $127 million
- One quarter of children 5-10 years show early signs of heart disease
- Type 2 diabetes is on the rise in children
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