Weighed Down
The Californian sought out local children -- and their families -- to look at obesity through their eyes. We followed four families over several months to get a better understanding of their lives and the difficulties in achieving a healthy lifestyle. Each family represents a different aspect of the obesity epidemic.
Brooke Stanley Jan 25 2008 4:07 PM
Brooke Stanley is on the cusp of a decision. Surgery or not? She’s happy with herself now, but is concerned her weight could ruin her health.
Ashley Cedeño Jan 25 2008 5:41 PM
Young Ashley Cedeño is obese, and if something doesn’t change she could develop several obesity-related diseases. Ashley’s family is undertaking a lifestyle change that they hope will spare the children from a lifetime of health problems.
Ashlyn Dowling Jan 25 2008 5:42 PM
Ashlyn Dowling’s weight problem isn’t easily noticeable on the outside. It’s more in her mind. She’s terrified of developing a weight-related disease, as family members have. And her idea of health is to be stick thin. So Ashlyn pushes her dieting to extremes.
Michael White Jan 25 2008 5:43 PM
Michael White was just 16 when his parents decided surgery was the only option to save him from an untimely death. He was 480 pounds with pre-diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, dwindling kidney function and asthma. While the surgery was successful, it wasn’t without controversy.
Obesity FAQ Jan 18 2008 5:49 PM
What are kids eating at school? Jan 10 2008 9:40 AM
What are the schools doing about obesity? Jan 10 2008 9:30 AM
What is the school nurse doing? Jan 10 2008 9:42 AM
Readers share their weight loss stories Jan 10 2008 9:28 AM
Ashley Cedeño: Stopping obesity early Jan 25 2008 5:08 PM
Michael White: Change his ways or die Jan 25 2008 5:03 PM
Ashlyn Dowling: Afraid of obesity Jan 25 2008 5:05 PM
Brooke Stanley: On the cusp of a decision Jan 25 2008 5:01 PM
Get help online fighting obesity Jan 18 2008 5:57 PM
Join the discussion at the Weighed Down blog Jan 18 2008 5:58 PM
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