Where Does Childhood Obesity Begin?

Everywhere you look now days you see childrencent in 31 states and exceed twenty per cent in
who are over weight and out of shape. It amazes49 states.
me because it seems like everyone from Richard- 16 states experienced an increase in obesity for
Simmons to Oprah has an exercise program.the second year in a row.
There's a different machine being sold for every- 11 states experienced an increase for a third
muscle in the body. Why are we seeing thisstraight year
weight problem in every school in the nation? Four states Tennessee, Alabama, West Virginia
 So where does childhood obesity begin?and Mississippi are above 30 per cent and
If you look at what's going on right now,Mississippi is the highest at 32.5 per cent for five
two-thirds of Americans are obese. Two-thirds!!straight years. 8 of the 10 states with the highest
The stats estimate there are 300 million people inrates are in the south.
the United States,  that means 200 million of us 
are taking up too much space. 
In 1991 no state in the United States had anChildren between 2 and 5 years old that are over
obesity rate above twenty per cent. The Nationalweight are four times as likely to be over weight
average in 1980 was fifteen per cent.adults. Mississippi has the highest rate of obesity
So what's it look like now?for children between the ages of 10-17 at 44%.
- Adult obesity has gone up in 23 states and hasThe ratio of states that have the biggest weight
not gone down in any stateproblem in adults also have the biggest problem in
- Adult obesity rates exceed twenty five pertheir children.