Whether it's Michelle Obama's health initiatives or programs to make school lunches more healthy, there has been an increasing focus on America's increasing waistline and obesity epidemic.
A suburban community is realizing that there are even more consequences to being overweight than simply high blood pressure and diabetes.
According to WREX in Rockford, Ill., a fire began in a one-story home just before 4:00 a.m. Monday. The two parents, Joe and Delores Herron, escaped, but when firefighters arrived, their daughter and two foster sons, ages 10 and 11, were still trapped inside.
Firefighters were able to get the two boys out through the window, but they could not lift the girl, Jamaya, through.
Investigators say she weighed more than 500 pounds.
Winnebago County Coroner Sue Fiduccia said "that [the weight] did hamper the fire department and fire rescuers from taking her out a window. They did have to bring her out the door and in doing that, two firefighters we're actually injured."
By then, it was too late for Jamaya.
The daughter of a pastor and a singer at the church died at the scene. Fire Chief Derek Bergsten, stated:
"They gave 110 percent, did their best and sometimes we're not able to save everyone, but we were able to get two individuals out of that structure alive."
Investigators say Jamaya died from breathing smoke. There will be an autopsy later this week.
Fannie Barbee, a relative of the family, says, "She was very faithful in the church. Whenever I go over there, she was a really nice person."
This is just one more example of the adverse impact obesity is having on America's young people. It is no longer about vanity. In addition to health consequences, there are consequences with regard to public safety. It is the community's and the parent's responsibility to make sure that we don't have 500-pound teenagers. This young woman's death is unfortunate and was probably preventable and likely so was her obesity.
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09-Sep-10 - Prominent gospel music artist Marvin Sapp recently lost his wife, MaLinda Sapp, to colon cancer. The couple had been married for 15 years and they had three children.
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31-Aug-10 - The eldest of John McCain's four children, Meghan has now publicly revealed her feelings about Sarah Palin in her new book, 'Dirty Sexy Politics.'
27-Aug-10 - Alveda King's decision to join forces with Fox News host Glenn Beck during his bogus March on Washington is likely one of the most shocking and extraordinary political events in recent months.
Yeah it is... I am wondering if she had some type of medical problem. Some people tend to think that people that are extremely obese eat too much, and that is not always the case.
I had a childhood friend who was large, she ate like a bird and was very active, but just kept getting bigger and bigger, her parents found out that she had a medical problem that cause her body to grow excessively.
The last time I saw her, we were in jr college... I remember her, because she was the sweetest person w/ a heart of gold.
By: TheResa-Warren Ann Allen-Frelix on 9/24/2010 5:14PM
Neutral
tou cold hearted bastard she was/ is and will forever remain a 16 year old bay that has just lose her life in a fire regardless of her weight ! there has been people who weigh less to die in fires !
when God calls you home HE DOESNT ASK HOW MUCH is YOUR WEIGHT.
locked up, dude they lost there child lets use this to wake up and stop feeding are kids trash hell us as a people are in very bad shape the stuff we put in are body's is insane , then we get mad if someone tells you that your fat
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Whether it's Michelle Obama's health initiatives or programs to make school lunches more healthy, there has been an increasing focus on America's increasing waistline and obesity epidemic. 
Comments: (108)
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By: Jamall Robinson on 9/22/2010 7:13PM
Wow........ 500 pounds is too heavy for a teenager to be carrying around. That aint healthy.
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By: Justifyed on 9/22/2010 6:00PM
Yeah it is... I am wondering if she had some type of medical problem. Some people tend to think that people that are extremely obese eat too much, and that is not always the case.
I had a childhood friend who was large, she ate like a bird and was very active, but just kept getting bigger and bigger, her parents found out that she had a medical problem that cause her body to grow excessively.
The last time I saw her, we were in jr college... I remember her, because she was the sweetest person w/ a heart of gold.
I hope she is still doing well.
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By: ARNEADER on 9/24/2010 12:33AM
This is so sad...my heart goes out to the family.
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By: Garlene on 9/24/2010 6:29AM
That's too much weight for anyone to carry around.
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By: rh on 9/24/2010 5:52PM
such a pretty girl, to have a tragic ending.
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By: Angela Gibson on 9/24/2010 3:30PM
Indeed, but its the parents fault to let a child get that big and dont do nothing about it. What a sad event. All I can say is Wow!!!1
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By: TheResa-Warren Ann Allen-Frelix on 9/24/2010 5:14PM
tou cold hearted bastard she was/ is and will forever remain a 16 year old bay that has just lose her life in a fire regardless of her weight !
there has been people who weigh less to die in fires !
when God calls you home HE DOESNT ASK HOW MUCH is YOUR WEIGHT.
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By: poetrysez on 9/22/2010 2:29PM
Her parents should be locked up.
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By: sedated on 9/23/2010 9:35AM
I completely agree with you.
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By: Darksavior on 9/22/2010 6:10PM
locked up, dude they lost there child lets use this to wake up and stop feeding are kids trash hell us as a people are in very bad shape the stuff we put in are body's is insane , then we get mad if someone tells you that your fat
Report This