Source:
National Institutes of Health
Youth Obesity Costing
Millions
In addition
to having a profound effect on individual health, a new study finds
that public health problems associated with obesity among U S Youth
are causing a major economic burden.
In the
Study, published in the May electronic pages of Pediatrics, Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (C D C) researchers found that
obesity-related annual hospital costs increased 3 fold over the 20
year period from 1979 to 2000. During that time, annual hospital
costs for obesity related conditions in children ages 6-17 increased
from $35 million to $127 million.
"The
study adds to the evidence that poor dietary habits and sedentary
lifestyles among young people carry many health risks and impose a
severe economic burden to our society" says Health and Human
Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy G Thompson.
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