Vikaas Shanker
News Reporter
News Reporter
A story of why it pays to keep analyzing the data, even if it isn’t cooperative at first.
Childhood obesity is a particularly difficult public health problem because if left unchecked, it will lead to many significant medical issues later in life.
A Sun-Star analysis of obesity and demographic data from thousands of schools in the state show that low income and Latino students are at a substantially increased risk of developing obesity.
Chocolate milk and fruit juice accounts for about half of sugar consumed by district students, according to a Sun-Star analysis of breakfast and lunch nutritional data.
Because childhood obesity is a condition depending on many factors, some are taking simplified but powerful approaches to the problem.
Data shows children in Merced County are three times more likely to be obese than the average California kid.
Obesity is a major problem in Merced County, especially for children. So why is the local school district’s menu full of unhealthy items such as hot dogs and breakfast pizza?