Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon officials have decided to do something about the state's growing problem with obesity. As Pete Springer reports, a state task force on the subject is convening for the first time Monday.

State public health officials say nearly a quarter of adult Oregonians are obese.

Since obesity is related to so many other health problems, there’s concern about the effect of this high rate on the healthcare system. 

One Medicare study found that obese patients cost taxpayers an average of  fifteen percent more in medical costs than other patients, even those who are overweight, but not obese.

So state lawmakers last session created a task force of legislators and health officials to discuss ways to prevent and reduce obesity.

State Senator Margaret Carter is one of the members of the task force. 

She’s hoping they come up with new ways to educate people about their eating habits.

Margaret Carter “You know, you just can’t demand that people eat a particular kind of way because it’s an individual right.  But you certainly can educate them around what they’re eating and the cost and effect of that eating and that’s what we’re trying to do.”

Nationally, two-thirds of Americans are obese or overweight, which makes the U.S. one of the fattest nations in the world.