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Obesity in Iowa

According to the National Center for Disease the number of obese Iowans increased in 2009. Now 25-29% of Iowans report being significantly overweight or obese. This hour, we discuss the obesity epidemic as it pertains to Iowa and what is being done to combat it with programs such as Live Healthy Iowa, Iowans Fit for Life and the Iowa Sports Foundation's Go the Distance Program. Host Ben Kieffer speaks with Gregory Welk, an assistant professor in the Department of Public Health and Human Performance at Iowa State University about a recent study done to try and identify children who are more at risk to become obese than others. Then we speak with Rebecca Meyer, an Iowa contestant from the Biggest Loser. Guests also include Thomas Newton, Iowa's Director of Public Health, Dennis Haney, a consultant for Iowan's Fit for Life and Nicole Bruce of the Iowa Sports Foundation.

Ben Kieffer is the host of IPR's River to River