AP: Childhood obesity still a problem in Alabama

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — The launch of an initiative aimed at addressing childhood obesity in Alabama has slowed an increase of overweight children compared to other states, but hasn't improved Alabama's childhood obesity rate. The Montgomery Advertiser reported that obesity rates in Alabama's children and teens have increased by nearly 5 percent since 1999 despite an effort by the Alabama Department of Education to control what types of snacks are sold in vending machines on school campuses. The newspaper reports Alabama was ranked 14th in terms of child obesity rates in 2010 and has dropped from a higher position because the rates in other states have increased faster than Alabama's. The newspaper reports a 2011-12 Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative survey found that 35 percent of Alabama's children were considered overweight.