4-H raising awareness of childhood obesity

SYRACUSE - With an hour to go before lunchtime Thursday, Marissa Taylor had already walked nearly two miles around the 2007 New York State Fair, each step counted off by the pedometer on her hip.

“It's an important message to get out to people,” said the 17-year-old from Saratoga County.

“You can't make excuses. Walking doesn't take special skills or equipment, and there's always time. If nothing else, just park your car farther away at the mall,” said Taylor, of Halfmoon, N.Y.