Study: Illinois Kids Rank High In Overweight Study

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Jul 2, 2009 7:40PM

In another round of Great News!, it turns out kids in Illinois are getting fatter. In a study just released, based on 2007 data from the National Survey of Children's Health, Illinois children rank fourth in the United States in terms of being overweight or obese with 20.7 percent of the children tipping the scales.

"This is a growing trend, not just in Illinois but throughout the country," said Kelly Jakubek, Illinois Department of Public Health spokeswoman. "We've worked hard to implement programs that help kids eat more healthily and be more active, but that takes a commitment from parents and students and families."

Illinois adults fared better in the report. According to other CDC data, the state ranked 27th for adult obesity at 25.9 percent. An additional 36.4 percent of Illinois adults were overweight.

Illinois was 10th overall for the 10 to 17 age bracket, meaning teens are getting in on the act as well. [Tribune, CBS 2]