Childhood Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the Central Valley. One in three kids is overweight. Where you live has a direct impact on your likelihood to become obese. It's more common in low income neighborhoods where residents have fewer amenities like grocery stores and parks.
Genoveva Islas-Hooker with the Central Calif. Regional Obesity Prevention Program says childhood obesity is really a crisis.
Nationally, the number of overweight kids has tripled in the last 30 years from 7% in 1980 to 20% in 2008. In the valley, the number has ballooned to more than 35%.
Experts say there are reasons: entertainment shifting from outdoor play to indoor play, food choices shifting from family meals at home to drive-through dinners, and over consumption of sugary beverages.
Islas-Hooker says changes need to be made to reverse the trend so all kids in the valley can grown up to be healthy, active and strong.
TXT 24
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