Study: Obese kids are absent more
8/10/2007, 6:02 p.m. EDT
By JOANN LOVIGLIO The Associated Press
http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/health/index.ssf?/base/national-8/1186770306227030.xml&storylist=health

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Obese elementary schoolchildren miss a couple more school days on average than their normal-weight classmates, according to a study that says being fat is a better predictor for absenteeism than any other factor.

Researchers said their results suggest that childhood obesity, in addition to serious medical issues, can lead to a plethora of additional problems down the road.

"It's clear in all the literature that the more days of school you miss, it really sets you up for such negative outcomes: drugs and AIDS and (teen) pregnancy," said Andrew B. Geier, a doctoral candidate at the University of Pennsylvania and lead author of the study released Friday.

http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/health/index.ssf?/base/national-8/1186770306227030.xml&storylist=health