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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Fighting Childhood Obesity a Family Affair

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Wednesday, September 1, 2010   

LOS ANGELES - Almost a million California children, about one in nine, are overweight or obese – and they're part of a group of 23 million children and teens nationwide with weight problems. It's all the more reason for the first-ever National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, which kicks off today.

Dr. Sarah Hampl, medical director of weight management programs at Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, says she can't stress enough that children need balanced meals as well as regular physical activity – and most can't do it alone.

"We know that it really isn't very successful or sustainable for kids to try to make these lifestyle changes by themselves when the rest of the family is not on board."

According to Hampl, contributing factors for unhealthy weight gain include too much "screen time" in front of televisions and computers, drinking too many sugary drinks, skipping breakfast, not eating enough fruits and vegetables, and eating too many meals outside the home.

U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) supports reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act and is introducing legislation that would ban sugary snacks from school grounds at all hours. He also wants to stop junk food from getting into schools for fundraising purposes.

"I don't mind an occasional bake sale myself, but what we're seeing is people selling Oreos to raise money. In that way, I don't want unhealthy foods competing with healthy school breakfasts and healthy school lunches."

A new study from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research finds obesity and diabetes have increased significantly in just six years, despite the fact California offers plenty of outdoor activities and a robust agricultural industry.



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Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

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