2 Mar 2009

American Samoa study details child obesity

3:08 pm on 2 March 2009

A study of the health of school children by American Samoa's Community College showed that children are becoming overweight at a much younger age.

34 percent of children in years 3, 6, 9 and 12 were found to be over their ideal body weight.

This is one of the highest statistics in the United States for overweight children.

Don Vargo of the American Samoa Community College said parents should take heed of the study findings and improve the dietary and exercise habits of their children.

He says if today's adults are over weight, but had healthier childhoods, what are the implications for the next generations of young people :

"If we're the second fattest nation in the world, with almost highest diabetes rate, given the kids were healthier back then, it looks pretty bad for kids who are becoming adults today."

Don Vargo of the American Samoa Community College

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