Study to help kids lose weight and keep it off

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine are recruiting families with overweight children for a study to help kids and parents lose and keep off pounds.

The two-year study will look at families with one or more children between the ages of 7 and 11 who are at least 20 percent above their ideal weight.

Researchers say the obesity rate for children has tripled over the last 30 years in the U.S. and early intervention is essential.

The study is funded mostly through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The research will be conducted at Washington University in St. Louis in collaboration with Seattle Children's Hospital Research Institute.

Researchers say about 20 percent of U.S. children are either overweight or obese, putting them at high risk for obesity, and complicating illnesses, as adults.