The New York City hospital system is developing a new initiative slated to be launched in midyear targeting obesity in children, according to a spokesperson for the Health and Hospitals Corporation.

Dr. Benjamin Chu, president of the Health and Hospitals Corporation, has repeatedly expressed concern about recent studies showing a nationwide increase in pediatric obesity, with 15 percent of Americans under age 19 overweight or obese.

"We will be launching a new initiative some time in the summer," said Marie Russo, a spokeswoman for the Health and Hospitals Corp.

Details of the childhood obesity initiative have not been disclosed, but the effort is expected to involve the HHC's network of child-health clinics, which provide primary and preventive care to children and teens.

Other sources: Newsday