Ala. Gropu Commended For Fighting Obesity BIRMINGHAM, AL (APR - Alabama Public Radio ) - Acting U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Steven K. Galson says the rise in childhood obesity continues but an Alabama group deserves praise for trying to reverse the trend.

Authorities say Alabama has the nation's second-highest rate of adult obesity and 11th-highest rate of childhood obesity.

Galson told members of the Jefferson County Childhood Obesity Task Force on Monday they are making a difference and must get involved ``at every level of society.''

Galson noted that the number of overweight and obese children has tripled since 1980. The surgeon general's office made a call to action seven years ago, but rates are still rising.

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