The rates of obesity and overweight in South Carolina are among the highest in the nation.

Prevalence of obesity related chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke and diabetes is disproportionately high in South Carolina.

South Carolina has the second highest rate of stroke deaths in the nation.

Obesity-attributable medical expenditures in South Carolina topped one billion dollars in 2003.

1 out of 4 African Americans in South Carolina is totally inactive.

Less than 1/4 of all South Carolinians eats the recommended number of fruits and vegetables per day.

Almost 50% of children and adolescents who are obese will become obese adults.

Overweight children have doubled since 1970 and overweight adolescents have tripled in the same period.

An obese child's quality of life is similar to the life of a child diagnosed with cancer which has been determined as the lowest quality of life score.