WESTWOOD—A study conducted recently may show that progress is being made in California’s fight against childhood obesity. However, despite any successes that have been made, it is being reported that more work has yet to be done.

Photo courtesy of Bruce Tuten

According to UCLA’s website, the study, A Patchwork of Progress: Changes in Overweight and Obesity Among California 5th, 7th and 9th Graders, which was compiled by UCLA Center for Health Policy Research along with the California Center for Public Health Advocacy, showed that the overall percentage of overweight and obese children in California fell 1.1 percent over the period of 2005-2010. Though it was found that 38 percent of children in the state are still at risk.

It has been observed by Susan Babey, the lead author of the study, that changes necessary are not being felt in various areas in the state. "Children's health is still at risk in a significant number of counties," Babey said. "We found that 31 of California's 58 counties experienced an increase in childhood overweight over the five-year period from 2005 to 2010. We hope this county-by-county analysis will help community leaders pinpoint and take action in counties in the greatest danger."

The highest rates of childhood obesity in California were found in the counties of Imperial (46.9 percent), Colusa (45.7 percent), Del Norte (45.2 percent) and Monterey (44.6 percent). Of these locations, the counties of Del Norte and Colusa saw the greatest upswing within the last five years with 16.2 and 13.3 percent increases, respectively.

Photo courtesy of Bruce Tuten

Beginning in 2004, the state put into place laws to ban sugary drinks as well as junk food from public school campuses. It has been thought that this paired with statewide policies pertaining to the marketing and availability of unhealthy food can be attributed to the vast improvements that were detailed in the study.

Findings for this study were obtained from the California Physical Fitness Test, which is given every year to California public school students in grades five, seven and nine.

The California Center for Public Health Advocacy (CCPHA) reminds through its website that children and adolescents that are overweight are likely to be so as adults. It is also estimated by the organization that 75 percent of overweight adolescents will be obese as young adults.

As far as the next steps are concerned, CCPHA is now looking to policy-makers to put in place strategies that encourage parents to see that their children are better equipped to make healthier eating choices and engage in regular physical activity.

Requests for additional comment on the study were not answered as of press time.

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