One-third of America’s 55 million school children are either
overweight or obese. The implications are downright frightening.
Think about this: one in four American young people seeking to
join the military are rejected because they are overweight or
obese! Carrying extra pounds leads to early heart disease, high
cholesterol, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, asthma and
sleep apnea. Children who are obese are much more likely to
become obese — and chronically ill — adults. The extra medical
costs to our country for overweight and obese patients alone
averages out to $1,000 per year per American household — half of
which is paid for by American taxpayers through Medicare, the VA
health system, Medicaid and government employee health plans.
This is not a “personal matter” — it impacts us all. And while
some of those carrying extra pounds have an inherited or
biological cause for weight gain which they have to struggle
against all their lives, many others simply eat too much and
exercise to little. Unlike te