New Campaign Aims to Curb Child Obesity

According to recent studies, one in four Utah children are overweight and nearly ten percent are classified as obese. Intermountain Healthcare is trying to curb the epidemic by launching a new public service campaign called "Live."

Intermountain Healthcare Director of Community Health Tamara Lewis helped launch the campaign during an assembly at Parkview Elementary School today (Wednesday). Lewis says two main factors contribute to child obesity, unhealthy eating and a lack of physical activity. She says other campaigns, like those aimed at using seatbelts and quitting smoking, showed great success through reaching children first.

The "Live" campaign will spread its message through advertisements, an interactive website, new education for doctors and more school assemblies.