Dealing with Obesity

Dealing with Obesity. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Line On Agriculture.

The Obama Administration has made childhood health and well-being a priority. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack discusses some of the things they have been working on including some good news.

VILSACK: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the rate of obesity among low income children appears to be declining. In 19 states, the obesity rate among low income preschoolers has dropped for the first time in decades. And in many other states the obesity rate has leveled off. This is encouraging because we have made special efforts to help low income families expand their access to healthier foods. In particular, USDA has provided healthier choices through a special nutrition program for women, infants and children, the WIC program, while helping parents learn more about healthy nutrition. We’ve expanded local markets around the country and doubled the number of these markets that accept SNAP and WIC benefits. USDA has provided grants to help schools in low income areas to provide fruits and vegetables to children. And USDA Farm-to-School programs in nearly every state are helping school districts buy locally produced food for school meals.

But Vilsack says:

VILSAC: Unfortunately some of these efforts cannot continue unless Congress passes a comprehensive Food, Farm, and Jobs bill this year. We still face a challenge in the coming years with one-in-eight preschoolers overweight or obese today. This has troubling implications for the heath of our nation, our economy and our national security in years to come.

That’s today’s Line On Agriculture. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.