The UCLA Health Center for Policy Research and the California Center for Public Health Advocacy this month released the first-ever report detailing the numbers of overwight and obese children in cities across the state.
In a press release sharing the study's results, representatives called the numbers "shocking."
Foster City, however, appears to be faring better than the average for both San Mateo County and California. Here are the statistics for cities across the County.
- Burlingame: 24.4 percent
- Millbrae: 24.8 percent
- Menlo Park: 26.1 percent
- San Carlos: 29.2 percent
- Foster City: 29.9 percent
- Pacifica: 33.1 percent
- San Mateo: 33.2 percent
- Redwood City: 37.4 percent
- Daly City: 39.2 percent
- San Bruno: 43.4 percent
- South San Francisco: 47 percent
In Foster City, 29.9 percent of children are considered overweight or obese.
The city with the lowest percentage in San Mateo County was Burlingame, with 24.4 percent. The city with the highest number of overweight or obese children was South San Francisco, with nearly double that, or 47 percent.
The overall average for San Mateo County was 34.1 percent. The overall average for California was 38 percent.
Statewide, the worst city in terms of obesity among children was Huntington Beach, with 53 percent. The best-performing city was Manhattan Beach, with 11 percent.
Patch wants to know your thoughts - what do you think is the answer to preventing obesity in children? Is it a problem parents are ultimately responsible for, or is society to blame? Or, a combination of both? How do you think cities and counties can help, if at all?
Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
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