Here are some facts about childhood obesity that sums up a problem some heath care workers call "an epidemic."

More than 12.5 million children between the ages of 2 and 10 are overweight. They percentage of obese children has roughly tripled in the last 25 years which increases the risk for heart disease and Type II Diabetes.

WV has the highest percentage of adult diabetics than anywhere else in the country and it's not much better when it comes to hypertension.
Acting U.S. Surgeon General Rear Adm. Steven K.Galson, M.D., M.P.H., will meet with top state health officials in Charleston, WV, on March 10-11 to promote the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Childhood Overweight and Obesity Prevention Initiative, “Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future”.

Dr. Galson will also collaborate with other existing partnerships to raise awareness of, and secure a commitment to, the prevention and reduction of childhood overweight and obesity. West Virginia is the first state he will visit to promote the new initiative.

It all takes place at the WV Cultural Center at the Capitol Complex from 9:30-11:30am on Tuesday.