If the waistlines of California's school-aged children continueexpanding, we could be facing the nation's first generation ofchildren with shorter life expectancies than their parents.
Many of those children are right here in San Bernardino andRiverside counties, according to a study by the California Center forPublic Health 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.'
The Sun examined the childhood obesity epidemic in its four-dayseries, 'Table to Grave,' in May. Experts said overweight childrenare at risk for diabetes and other chronic diseases, and more likelyto be obese as adults.
The new study analyzed the 2004 Physical Fitness test, ameasurement of fitness levels of fifth-, seventh- and ninth-gradestudents.
Data was broken down 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. But the increases have beenhigher in individual Assembly districts, such as San Bernardino andRiverside counties' 36, 59, 61, 62 and 63 districts.
For example, in Assemblyman Joe Baca Jr.'s 62nd District, theincrease was 9.75percent from 2001. That means, 35 out of every 100children in that district 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.'
The 61st District of Assemblywoman Gloria Negrete McLeod increased10percent, according to data. Her district includes the cities ofPomona, Chino, Montclair and Ontario.
In a written statement, McLeod said, she too was concerned withthe study's results.
Goldstein said the study was conducted by Assembly districts 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 shows that information and education alone aren'tenough.'
Melodee Lopez, a nutritionist for San Bernardino County's PublicHealth Department, said laws that discourage the sale of beveragesand junk foods in schools need to be pushed forward.
Since the 2002 study was released, Lopez said, there has been verylittle communication between assembly members and public health.
Though efforts have been made in recent years, Lopez said theyhave been spotty and aren't being replicated.
