Fighting Obesity

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By Sam Shriver, Video Journalist - bio | email

These adults are working out at the Lima Family YMCA.

They know that getting exercise can prolong their life and cut their risk of getting health problems.

Eric Finkelstein, an associate research professor at Duke University reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that if nothing changes, 42 percent of Americans will be obese by the year 2030.

If that trend is reversed it could save about 550 billion dollars in medical costs over the next 20 years.

Josh Unterbrink, Health and Wellness Director at the Lima Family YMCA is concerned about the findings, particularly as it affects children.

Unterbrink says people need to make the right choices when it comes to what we eat.

Lisa Langhals Wellness Program director with the Putnam County YMCA in Ottawa blames much of the obesity problem on inactivity.