Combating childhood obesity is one key to a healthy future for Wisconsin. Wisconsin ranks right in the middle for rates of adult obesity. But, Dr. Alexandria Adams with the UW's Department of Family Medicine says that only tells part of the picture, because rates of childhood obesity are also on the increase.

"I think in the states that we do have good data – and our state hopes to be one of those with third graders soon – we are seeing fairly comparable levels. In other words, when you see high (adult obesity) levels in a state, the childhood levels are also going to be high."

Adams says the epidemic of childhood obesity does not bode well for adult obesity rates, as well as for adult diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Still, she remains optimistic that obesity rates can be brought down. She says limiting the availability of sugared beverages and increasing the amount of physical activity in schools now will mean fewer obese adults in the future.

Annual rankings from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation place Wisconsin 25th in rates of adult obesity. Mississippi ranked the worst, Colorado the best.

Bob Hague reports (:60 MP3)

If grilling burgers is a part of your Fourth of July plans, don't let the most recent E. Coli scare get you down.

A nationwide recall of ground beef distributed by the JBS Swift Company may have many grill masters worried about the burgers sitting in the freezer for this weekend, but the State Health Department's Stephanie Marquis says some simple precautions can help keep everyone healthy.

Marquis says most of the meat was likely sold at stores over a month ago, so any beef bought recently should be just fine. If you've been holding on to meat bought around that time, a simple call to the grocery store where it was purchased should help determine if it is affected by the recall.

However, even if you don't need to worry about tainted meat, Marquis says you can avoid most food-borne illnesses if you make sure to cook the meat thoroughly on the grill. She says most of the latest E. Coli-related illnesses were the result of undercooked beef. Beef should be heated to a temperature of 160-degrees Fahrenheit to kill any bacteria.

Marquis says keeping a clean cooking and serving area, and washing with soap and water after handling raw meat are also good safety precautions for preventing food-related illnesses.

AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (MP3 1:02)