State Actions to Promote Nutrition, Increase Physical Activity and Prevent Obesity

States continue to press forward in their crusade to curb obesity rates, particularly among children. Similar to past years, the main focus for both federal and state lawmakers remains within the school system. Because overweight children and adolescents are 70 to 80 percent more likely to become heavyset adults, lawmakers believe that mandating or recommending nutritional and physical education guidelines for schools will encourage children to make healthier choices in the future and maintain healthy weights.