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Children's Hospital Gets $7M Gift To Fight Obesity

BOSTON (AP) -- Children's Hospital in Boston has received a $7 million gift from the New Balance athletic shoe company to fight childhood obesity.

The money will help create a center at the hospital to support outpatient programs and community outreach programs designed to prevent obesity among children.

Experts say as many as 45 percent of public school children in Boston may be overweight or obese, putting them at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, or cancer when they become adults.

Officials say the New Balance Foundation Center at the hospital will promote among other things healthier eating habits for children and help provide access for children from low-income families access gyms and fitness equipment.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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