exercise. (8) Chronic diseases account for 1.7 million, or 70 percent, of all deaths in the United States each year. Although chronic diseases are among the most common and costly health problems, they are also among the most preventable. Adopting a healthy lifestyle, such as eating nutritious foods and engaging in physical activity, can prevent or control the devastating effects of these diseases. (9) In 2008, overall medical costs related to obesity for United States adults were estimated to be as high as $147 billion. People who were obese had medical costs that were on average $1,429 higher than the cost for people of normal body weight. 3. Reduction in prevalence of overweight and obesity Part B of title III of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 243 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 317T the following section: 317U. Reduction in prevalence of obesity (a) In general The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall carry out a national program to conduct and support activities regarding individuals who are overweight or obese in order to make progress toward the goal of significantly reducing the number of cases of obesity among individuals in the United States. (b) Certain activities In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall (directly or through grants or contracts) carry out the following with respect to individuals who are overweight or obese: (1) Activities to train health professionals to recognize that patients are overweight or obese and to recommend prevention activities regarding such condition, including educating patients on— (A) the relationship between such condition and cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other health conditions