Obesity causes more than 15 percent of this country’s preventable deaths—more than alcohol, toxins, care accidents, gun-related deaths, drug abuse and STDs combined— and it causes a huge financial strain on the health care system.

The measurements of childhood obesity go beyond the scales, the doctors’ offices, and health care dollars. Overweight and obese children are underperforming in the classroom and on standardized tests. The support of policies and funding that would improve the health outcomes for 30 percent of our school aged children would help to elevate test scores, graduation rates and overall academic performance.

Maya Rockeymoore interviews Janice Ferebee, Director of the Bethune Program Development Center at the National Council of Negro Women, who discusses her Center's work with women of color in areas such as health and politics at the 2010 Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference.