Oregon Public Broadcasting

Northwest residents see childhood obesity as a growing problem in their community.

That's one of the findings of a new public radio poll. Nearly half of the 1,200 people surveyed in Washington, Oregon and Idaho say weight is becoming a bigger issue, literally, among their neighbors.

[image: 1:left]Pollster Adam Davis says a great majority give some of the blame to media advertisements produced by soda and food companies. But an even greater percentage hold parents responsible for children being overweight.

The survey also asked whether people would support a new tax on soda pop to fund childhood health and obesity programs.

Alice Bradley of Seattle would support a tax.

Alice Bradley: "I wouldn’t mind it because for children, this is not something they need at all. If they have a low food budget, they don’t need to be having those things in their budget."

[image: 2:left]The survey respondents split down the middle...48-percent each way...on whether to raise taxes for health and obesity programs.

The survey is a collaboration of the Northwest Health Foundation, the polling firm Davis, Hibbitts and Midghall and Northwest public radio stations.