CHEVY CHASE, MD -- Obesity or being overweight is seen as the most important health issue for U.S. children, according to a recent poll. More than a quarter of Americans named obesity as the top health issue for kids. The second and third biggest concerns were lack of health care/insurance and nutrition/unhealthy diet.

According to the poll, 52 percent say obesity is a public health issue that society should help solve; 46 percent say it is a private issue that people should deal with on their own. Ninety-eight percent of Americans say the responsibility for addressing obesity lies to some or a great extent with parents, while 96 percent say it lies with individuals. Other groups that those surveyed say have some responsibility are schools (87 percent), health care providers (84 percent), the food industry (81 percent) and government (67 percent).

Fifty-seven percent of Americans say most adults in the United States are overweight or obese and 35 percent say most children are.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 66 percent of American adults (ages 20-74) are overweight or obese, although only about 17 percent of children (ages 2-19) are overweight or obese.

The poll was commissioned by Research!America and The Endocrine Society.

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