Two-thirds of Philadelphians are overweight

The Philadelphia City Council received a sobering update on the city’s obesity problem.
This comes just, one week after First Lady Michelle Obama visited Philadelphia to raise awareness of the problem of child obesity.

The Philadelphia City Council received a sobering update on the city’s obesity problem.

This comes just, one week after First Lady Michelle Obama visited Philadelphia to raise awareness of the problem of child obesity. [audio:100224TMFATHEAR.mp3]

City Health Commissioner Donald Schwartz says 64 percent of adults in Philadelphia are overweight or obese. Among children, 57 percent are too heavy.

Among the problems causing obesity are family history, and a nutrient poor diet.  Dr Shirley Huang of Children’s Hospital spoke of a 13 year old boy she treated.

Huang: He came in with his mom weighing 295 pounds, he could not keep up with his friends and he was very sad that he could not get on any rides at amusement parks because of his size.  He actually needed surgery because his legs were so curved, but he needed to lose 50 pounds before the surgery.

Dr Huang says current children could be the first generation to have a shorter lifespan than their parents.

One strategy the city hopes will help residents lose weight, includes a new mandate that restaurants are now required to post calorie counts on their menus.