THE RANDY JACKSON FAMILY FOUNDATION JOINS THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR BARIATRIC SURGERY FOUNDATION AND OBESITY ACTION COALITION IN HOSTING THE 2007 LONG BEACH “WALK FROM OBESITY, A WALK FOR CHILDRENS HEALTH”

(Long Beach, California) – The Randy Jackson Family Foundation has joined The American Society for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery (ASBMS) Foundation and the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) in hosting the September 29, 2007 Long Beach Area “Walk from Obesity, A Walk for Children’s Health” at The Pike Shopping & Entertainment Center in Downtown Long Beach. In September and October 2007, in cities all across America, obesity sufferers and survivors alike will be joining forces and walking to raise money for research, education, prevention and treatment of the life-threatening disease of obesity.

In 2006 the Long Beach “Walk from Obesity” raised more than $26,000 and more than 100 people attended the event. Overall, the 2006 Walk raised over a half million dollars and the goal this year is to raise 1 million. The cost to participate in the “Walk” and show your support for all those affected by obesity and morbid obesity is $25. To register for the 2007 “Walk From Obesity,” please visit www.walkfromobesity.com . Funds raised through this event will support the ASBS Foundation and the OAC in their efforts to increase research funding  for obesity, improve awareness of the negative stigma associated with obesity and provide educational resources for all those affected by this disease. The “Walk from Obesity” was established to give hope to those needing it most. Walkers raise money by asking friends, family, and co-workers to sponsor them. In addition to walker income, funds are raised through sponsorship, matching gifts, corporate contributions and other fundraising activities.

Obesity Fact Sheet

What Is Obesity?
Obesity is excess weight produced by an abnormally high proportion of body fat. It is determined by calculating a person’s Body Mass Index (BMI) which, for an obese person, is 30 – 39.9. Morbid Obesity (also known as clinically severe obesity) is an extremely high level of body fat equivalent to being at least 100 pounds overweight. A person with a BMI of 40 or more, or a BMI of 35 with obesity-related diseases, is considered morbidly obese.

The Obesity Epidemic

• An estimated 90 million adults in the U.S. are obese and 12 million people are morbidly obese.
• Obesity is a leading cause of preventable death in the U.S.
• More than 100,000 people die each year from an obesity-related heath condition.
• Obesity costs the U.S. healthcare system an estimated $117 billion annually.
• Fifteen percent of children (1 in 6) between the ages of 6 and 19 in the U.S. are overweight and at risk for becoming obese adults. This is three times the rate reported in the 1970s.

Risks of Morbid Obesity

People who are obese are at greater risk for several life threatening diseases, including type II diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension and cancer. Obesity also increases the risk for other diseases and conditions such as sleep apnea, asthma, osteoarthritis, joint degeneration, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), lower back pain and urinary incontinence.

Obesity Treatment

Obesity is treated through a combination of methods which may include diet, exercise and/or medication. For the morbidly obese, those 100 pounds or more overweight, weight-loss surgery may be the only effective option. Weight-loss surgery is one of the fastest growing areas of surgery and when performed on appropriate patients, is very successful.

MEDIA CONTACT:
NGWEBIFOR M FOBI
WALK CHAIR
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562-546-4802 / 562-724-6184 FAX

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