Currently such issues as overweight and obesity have taken a front seat in public discussions and media coverage. As a nation, we have been getting steadily heavier. The number of adults who are obese has increased dramatically.

An estimated 400,000 deaths each year in the United States are attributed to obesity, and the economic cost is greater than $147 billion. Overweight and obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S., as well as worldwide. According to national data, it is estimated that 65% of Americans are now overweight or obese; and more than 61 million adults and 9 million children are obese.

The growth in childhood obesity over the past three decades is staggering. Obese children stay obese, if a child is obese at age 6, there is a 50% chance of life-long obesity. If a child is obese at age 13, there is a 75% chance of life-long obesity.

• Physical activity (or lack thereof)
• Children are less active than ever with the widespread availability of TV, videos, computers & video games
• Physical activity levels are dwindling
• Nationwide 22.6% of children do not participate in any type of physical activity outside of school hours