(title appears) The airwaves have been filled of late with two public health pronouncements that are increasingly linked by cause and effect.  The first is that physical activity has a profound positive physiological effect on the body.  The second is that childhood obesity is growing in epidemic proportions.

  (rest of slide appears) That childhood obesity is on the rise is undeniable.  The rates have been advancing steadily for the past 35 years with obesity growing from 4% to 13% in 6 to 11 years olds and from 5% to 14% in 12 to 19 year olds.  In just two decades, the number of obese children has doubled.  1.