Childhood Obesity: Health Story

Aired on Superstation WGN
Saturday, June 11 and October 15, 2005
Show 217

"Teenagers in the United States have a higher rate of obesity than in fourteen other industrialized countries. The current environment is the perfect one to produce obesity. We need to change society," says Kelly Brownell PhD, author of Food Fight, and Director of the Yale Center for Eating and Weight Disorders.

Marlene Schwartz PhD, co-director of the center at Yale, says, "We're looking at obesity as a public health problem, not an individual problem. Lifestyle is the main cause of obesity."

"Kids are too sedentary today. We take a family approach to eating healthy and exercise," says Mary Savoye, dietician and director of the Bright Bodies Weight Management Program.

"You need to try your best and never give up," says Jaques Watkins, a young patient of the program who has achieved successful weight loss. In the program kids learn habits they can practice for a lifetime.

Tim Dzialo, another program participant, says, "I feel really good now from eating better and exercising more."