If the waistlines of California's school-aged children continueexpanding, it could mark the nation's first generation of childrenwith shorter life expectancies than their parents.
Many of those children are in San Bernardino and Riversidecounties, according to a study by the California Center for PublicHealth Advocacy.
'The deck is stacked against our children,' Dr. Harold Goldstein,executive director of the nonprofit Davis-based organization whosestudy is to be released today. 'Clearly, not enough has been done.'
Experts say overweight children are at risk for diabetes and otherchronic diseases, and more likely to be obese as adults. Some may dieprematurely.
The new study analyzed the 2004 Physical Fitness test, ameasurement of fitness levels of fifth-, seventh- and ninth-gradestudents, by Assembly districts.
A similar analysis was done in 2002 on the 2001 Physical Fitnesstest.
Overall in California, the prevalence of overweight children hasincreased by 6.2percent since 2001.
In Assemblyman Joe Baca Jr.'s 62nd District, the increase was9.75percent from 2001. That means 35 percent of all children in thatdistrict are considered overweight.
'This does concern me,' said Baca, whose district includes SanBernardino, Fontana, Rialto and Colton, as well as unincorporatedBloomington and Muscoy.
'Everything has been so convenient, fast food and snacks, we canjust grab them on the go,' he said. 'What it comes down to is peopleneed to start taking care of their bodies.'
Assemblywoman Gloria Negrete McLeod's 61st District also increasedby 10percent, according to data.
Her district includes Pomona, Chino, Montclair and Ontario.
In a written statement, McLeod said she too was concerned with thestudy's results. The assemblywoman said she is working with otherlegislators to strengthen nutrition standards in public schools byremoving junk food and sodas.
Goldstein said the study was conducted by Assembly district togenerate more feedback and efforts from legislators.
However, policy makers have been slow to act since the last study.
'Given the amount of media attention to obesity recently, we didnot expect this level of increase,' Goldstein said. 'It really showsthat information and education alone aren't enough.'
Melodee Lopez, a nutritionist for the county's Public HealthDepartment, said laws that discourage the sale of beverages and junkfoods in schools need to be pushed forward.
Since the 2002 study was released, Lopez said, sadly, there hasbeen very little communication between Assembly members and publichealth.
'Hopefully this will help them become more aware,' she said.
Goldstein and Lopez also pointed fingers at schools and the fast-food and junk-food industries.
'Schools have become soda and junk food super stores, and the fast-food industry is spending billions each year marketing this food tochildren,' Goldstein said.
Though efforts have been made in recent years, Lopez said theyhave been spotty and aren't being replicated.
Additionally, legislators are starting to endorse policies thatwould limit the amount of sodas and junk food being sold on schoolcampuses.
Goldstein went a step further by saying California may be on thebrink of revolutionizing school lunch programs.
'This would take soda and junk food off campuses,' he said.
