Kate Long

<p>To battle obesity, West Virginia Schools teachers are implementing 15 extra minutes of physical activity into each day.</p>

<p>One in four fifth-graders has high blood pressure and cholesterol. One in four eleven-year-olds is obese, a clear red flag for the future.</p>

<p>The FITNESSGRAM is a yearly test of each child's physical fitness. Body mass index is measure of fat calculated from a person's weight and height.</p>

<p>West Virginia occupies a top slot on almost every awful health ranking: diabetes, heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and others.</p>

<p>Experts have advised West Virginia to establish statewide diabetes management programs. Dannie Cunningham can testify that they work.</p>

<p>Journalist Kate Long examines the pressing problem of obesity and its link to other chronic diseases in West Virginia.</p>

<div class="node-body"><p>West Virginia is among the top five states on just about every national chronic disease list. Journalist Kate Long investigates what's behind the state's poor showing.</p></div>

<p>Every year, for 12 years, Lincoln County school nurse Pam Dice sat down and telephoned parents of kids who had what she calls "dangerous numbers."</p>

<p>A year ago, knowing her family history of diabetes, a retired teacher got a blood test at a health fair. Nine months later, thanks to a new exercise regimen, she's off most of her blood pressure medication.</p>

<p>In West Virginia, some grocery stores are removing the junk food displays near checkout lines and replacing them with fresh and dried fruit, granola bars and other healthy snacks. But will that encourage shoppers to make healthier food choices?</p>