A group of bills designed to slim down the most overweight people in New England has been introduced in the Maine legislature.

The legislation would block sale of soft drinks and junk food in school vending machines, require that fast-food restaurants display nutritional information, and would allow state transportation funds to be used to promote bicycling.

State Rep. Sean Faircloth, a co-sponsor of the legislation, called obesity the No. 1 health issue and said Maine is paying close to $1 billion annually in obesity-related health care costs.

A recent state health report found that Maine had the highest obesity rate among the six New England states, with adult obesity rates up 50 percent and the number of overweight adolescents up 100 percent over the past two decades.

Other sources: Maine Legislature