Mar 08, 2005 — More than 60% of Americans are overweight or obese. That number is even higher in the North Country. Most alarming is that obesity among children is skyrocketing. Health officials are calling it an epidemic. They warn overeating will shorten our life expectancy if the problem goes unchecked. Last week, the St. Lawrence County Health Initiative held a forum to discuss why North Country residents are so overweight, and what can be done about it. David Sommerstein reports.