SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WBBM) -- A checkup on the health of Illinoisans shows adults have a lot of work to do.

WBBM Newsradio 780's Melissa Hahn reports that for adults, 37 percent have high cholesterol, up from 30 percent a decade ago, and 27 percent are obese, up from 21 percent in 2000.

LISTEN: Newsradio 780's Melissa Hahn reports.

Dr. Steven Malkin, president of the Illinois State Medical Society, says the numbers are better for kids.

"On the children's side, we have a decrease in teenage pregnancies and infant mortality, so that's good. They're getting more immunizations. Smoking rates are down for the 21st year in a row," Malkin said. "I guess we're doing better with the children than we are with the adults."

Malkin's prescription – better nutrition, less food, more exercise.