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Childhood and adolescent obesity are rapidly approaching epidemic status. In North Carolina, one in every four children is seriously overweight, and the prime culprits are physical inactivity and poor nutrition habits.

Like adults, overweight and obese adolescents have a multitude of health problems, from diabetes to joint pain, menstrual irregularities and depression. Obesity also aggravates already existing chronic conditions, such as asthma.

Parents are the key to ensuring that children start taking their physical health seriously. By encouraging healthy eating habits and regular physical activity, parents can help ensure that their children achieve a balanced life an dweight. At the Sara Lee Center for Women's Health, we work with parents and teens to develop healthy eating plans and fun, energy-filled exercise routines. Our 12-week Healthy Family Adolescent Weight Management Program also targets overweight adolescent girls, ages 10-18, and their parents to help the entire family adopt healthier lifestyles.

The Sara Lee Center for Womens Health, WXII-TV Channel 12 and Food Lion LLC have joined to launch the Adolescent Health: Choices For A Lifetime public service initiative.

The goal of the program is to educate, encourage and support adolescents and their families to make healthful choices in food purchasing, preparation and substitution, as well as in fitness and exercise. The program will include public service announcements on WXII-TV that feature helpful facts about food, nutrition and exercise; free educational materials provided by the Sara Lee Center for Women's Health; and on-site special events at various Food Lion stores.

For more information about the Healthy Family Adolescent Weight Management Program, please contact the Sara Lee Center for Women's Health at (336) 718-3780 or call toll free (888) 218-1234.