SALEM, Ore. -- State officials are calling on Oregonians to eat better and exercise more, in hopes of curbing a rise in obesity-related diabetes that threatens the health of upcoming generations.

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A plan outlined Friday calls for a variety of state actions against obesity that, once in place, could cost at least $43 million a year in spending but could save $215 million a year in medical costs.

About 262,000 Oregon adults already have diabetes, a 62 percent increase since 1995.

"If the epidemic of obesity continues unchecked in Oregon, our children will likely have worse

health than their parents or their grandparents," said Dr. Mel Kohn, the acting director of the state Public Health Division.

The plan was requested by the Legislature in 2007. It will take up the proposals when it goes into session in January.

A 30-member advisory committee, led by the state Department of Human Services, spent seven months developing the plan.

The panel concluded that creating public health interventions throughout the population to prevent obesity could stem the tide of diabetes better than targeted interventions aimed at people who already are obese or have pre-diabetes.

The plan calls for spending $22.42 million in the 2010-11 biennium, at least $45.4 million in 2012-13 and at least $88.4 million in 2014-15.

The committee recommended:

-- Addressing underlying causes of health inequities, such as education, living-wage jobs and access to health insurance.

-- Providing consumers with access to information about making healthy food choices. For example, the committee recommends requiring restaurants with 15 or more outlets to list calories and nutrition information on menus.

-- Planning for a "healthy schools act." It would include a range of issues, such as siting schools where safe biking and walking are possible, banning advertising, offering physical education and conducting health screenings.

-- Making health a priority in land-use and transportation policy and funding. For example, the

committee recommends advocating for bike and pedestrian facilities.

-- Improving the quality of medical care through health-care reform measures.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in three children born in 2000 will develop diabetes if conditions don't change.

It is paying for a similar prevention-based approach to obesity through demonstration projects in rural areas in seven states, 12 urban areas and three tribal areas. Those projects are resulting in increases in physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption.