In addition to having a profound effect on individual health, a new study finds that public health problems associated with obesity among U S Youth are causing a major economic burden.

In the Study, published in the May electronic pages of Pediatrics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (C D C)  researchers found that obesity-related annual hospital costs increased 3 fold over the 20 year period from 1979 to 2000. During that time, annual hospital costs for obesity related conditions in children ages 6-17 increased from $35 million to $127 million.

"The study adds to the evidence that poor dietary habits and sedentary lifestyles among young people carry many health risks and impose a severe economic burden to our society" says Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy G Thompson.

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