Vermont Heart Disease Cases Highlight Need to Address Obesity

Cardiologist gives staggering statistics on impact of diet-related diseases.

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If you need a good reason to support nutrition standards for restaurant kids' meals, just ask Dr. Prospero Gogo. As a cardiologist he treats hundreds of patients each year, many suffering from obesity and diet-related diseases.

He wouldn't have to treat as many, he said, if lawmakers took action on prevention.
And he urged lawmakers to take action to pass S.70.

"This legislation is important because it supports Vermont children to establish healthy dietary habits and avoid obesity-related diseases such as hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes, which can lead to heart disease. Last year, more than 1200 people underwent stent procedures for severe heart disease at UVMMC. 44% of these patients were clinically obese, and 81% were overweight. The majority had weight-related conditions, including diabetes in 33%, and hypertension and hyperlipidemia in 3 out of 4.”

The Senate gave final approval to a healthy beverages kids meals bill on February 27th. It now moves on to the House Human Services Committee for consideration. 

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