Childhood Obesity Bad for Business

Kudos, fatsos.

"According to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), in 2005 37 percent of New Jersey residents were overweight and 22 percent were obese. The 2005 New Jersey Student Health Survey conducted by the New Jersey Department of Education found that 12 percent of ninth- to 12-graders were overweight and another 15 percent were at risk for becoming overweight, and a 2004 study conducted by the New Jersey Departments of Health and Senior Services and Education found that 20 percent of sixth-graders evaluated were obese and another 18 percent were overweight. The boys showed higher obesity levels as compared to girls, and the prevalence of obesity is significantly higher among blacks. [See Fig. 2] (Fig. 2 omitted)

So what does childhood obesity have to do with business? Well, for starters, there are the health issues and related costs associated with health care. Hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, breast cancer and other serious illnesses are directly related to or exacerbated by being overweight or obese."

Stop the more than likely to be fat parents from killing their kids and businesses, too.