The Charleston Gazette
March 10, 2008
By Eric Eyre
Acting U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Steven Galson plans to arrive in Charleston today to start a national initiative to prevent childhood obesity.
Galson was expected to meet with Gov. Joe Manchin, first lady Gayle Manchin and Secretary of Health and Human Resources Martha Walker.
West Virginia, which is tied with Kentucky for the highest percentage of overweight children in the nation, is the first state the surgeon general is visiting to promote the initiative.
"His visit is going to remind us that this is a serious issue for West Virginia," said Beverly Railey Robinson, vice president of the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, which funds several childhood obesity prevention projects in West Virginia. "He also may help identify the need for additional resources to combat the problem."
Galson plans to recognize communities where kids are encouraged to eat right and exercise at least 60 minutes a day.
The initiative, called "Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future," will spotlight caregivers, teachers and public health leaders who have developed successful obesity prevention programs.