James Madison University has long been known for preparing its students for the future. Now, it's being recognized for encouraging not only the learning pursuits of its students, but helping Virginia's youth learn healthy habits for life.

Acting U.S. Surgeon General Steven Galson will visit the university on Wednesday to honor JMU groups that have been helping to lead the charge for childhood overweight and obesity prevention and to discuss further ways JMU can partner with the community to ensure a healthy future for Virginia's youth.

At 10 a.m., Galson will present the Champion Award to the JMU Girls Golf Program, a collaboration between JMU's Morrison-Bruce Center for the Promotion of Physical Activity for Girls and Women, Mulligan's Golf Center and Lakeview Golf Course.

The award recognizes programs committed to building partnerships to prevent childhood overweight and obesity. Morrison-Bruce Center Director
Judith Flohr and LPGA professional Janet Matsey Phillips, a 1988 JMU graduate, will accept the award.

Following the award presentation, President Linwood H. Rose will convene a
round table discussion with Galson and community members on understanding issues that threaten youth health and how to further partnerships between JMU and the community.

At 3 p.m. Wednesday, Galson will present "Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future," his national tour to discuss best practices for preventing childhood obesity at the community level. The event is free and open to the public.

The Centers for Disease Control and the Office of the Surgeon General have released some statistics about childhood obesity and its effects in the United States.

- 12.5 million children ages 2-19 years or 17.1 percent are overweight.

- An additional 16.5 percent are considered at risk of becoming overweight.

- Overweight children and adolescents may experience immediate consequences and be at increased risk for chronic health problems in adulthood, such as asthma, cardiovascular risks, diabetes, social stigmatization and sleep apnea.

- Virginia's direct obesity-attributable health care costs are more than $1.6 billion.