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Childhood Obesity: An American Epidemic

Today about 25 million kids and teens in the U.S. are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. That’s nearly one in every three young people.

Overweight kids are more likely to become overweight adults. Some experts believe that if obesity among kids continues to increase at this rate, our current generation could become the FIRST in American history to live shorter lives than their parents.

What's Happening?

• Poor nutrition: Only about 20 percent of high school seniors report eating fruit and green vegetables five or more times a day.
• Unregulated nutrition: Foods offered in school vending machines are often of little nutritional value and can be loaded with fats, sugars, salt and calories.
• Less physical education: 92% of elementary schools do not have daily physical education classes year-round. About 1/3 of high school students take daily physical education classes.
• Disappearing recess: Nearly one-third of elementary schools do not schedule recess on a regular basis. Some schools lack the space to play while others feel that recess is a waste of time.

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