An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, according to the American Cancer Society, which is awarding a quarter of a million dollars to combat childhood obesity.
Diana Weyhenmeyer is a registered nurse at St. John's Hospital in Springfield. She says the grants to 18 organizations statewide will help compile and promote "anti-obesity" programs targeted toward young children.
She says it's hoped coaxing children into healthful eating and exercise habits early will prevent them from becoming obese later in life. Weyhenmeyer says it could be as simple as promoting five servings of fruits and vegetables per day.
Weyhenmeyer says anti-obesity programs are more important than ever. She says if we keep going the way we're going; with rampant youth obesity... many of today's children will not outlive their parents.
The American Cancer Society says those who begin life as overweight children retain a heightened cancer risk, even if they lose the weight - which means children should not become overweight in the first place.
