Arizona ranks 15th in the nation in the rate of childhood obesity, according to the "F as in Fat" report released this year by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Trust for America's Health.
Nearly 18 percent of Arizona children between the ages of 10 and 17 are obese, the report says. Fewer than 30 percent of Arizona children ages 6 through 17 participate in vigorous daily physical activity, it adds.
And the news is worse for the state's adults: More than one-quarter of Arizona adults are considered obese. Obesity puts both adults and children at higher risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer, among other health problems.
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On StarNet: An Arizona Daily Star report on childhood obesity may be viewed at: go.azstarnet.com/obesity