NASHVILLE (AP) - Reducing Tennessee's obesity rate will be the focus of the Governor's Health and Wellness Task Force.

Gov. Bill Haslam noted in a news release Thursday that more than 1.5 million adults - or one in three Tennesseans - are obese.

Haslam said the state must encourage more healthy behavior and improve access to healthy foods and places to exercise.

The governor formed the 16-member task force in October. It is chaired by John Lacey, the University of Tennessee's chief medical officer.

The task force will work with organizations like the Y, the state's coordinated school health program, the Tennessee Obesity Task Force and local health officials and businesses.