WITN  | Northeastern North Carolina  | News, Weather, Sports
Helping Kids Battle Obesity  While North Carolina faces a major
childhood obesity problem, there are programs in eastern
Carolina that are reaching out to children to help them lead
more healthy and active lives.  Marcus McNeil, 16 years-old, is
one of thousands of kids in eastern Carolina dealing with a
weight issue. He knows it's serious, and health experts agree.
According to one survey, one in three children in North Carolina
is obese. Our state is ranked 14th in the nation for childhood
obesity rates. Kids in rural areas are at higher risk.  Dr.
David Collier, an ECU healthy lifestyle expert, says many kids
and parents don't understand the extent of the problem. "Until
you really work with it closely and really see the statistics,
see the kids that are home bound because they can't get around
at school because their so overweight, because they're being
teased, sleep apnea, type two diabetes"  The excess weight
doesn't only hurt the child--- i