Children's Fitness & Weight: Key Trends and Issues
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In California, the percentage of public school students meeting all six state fitness standards has improved over the last decade for 5th, 7th, and 9th graders. Depending on the gender and grade, about 25% to 40% of California students meet the state's standards, according to these recently released data from the California Department of Education.

Despite these improvements, nearly forty percent (38%) of fifth-, seventh-, and ninth-grade public school students in California were overweight or obese in 2010, and this prevalence largely held steady between 2005 and 2010, according to a study from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research and the California Center for Public Health Advocacy. More than half of California counties experienced increases in rates of overweight and obesity among youth between 2005 and 2010.


The Issue

Key Data Findings for the State

Regional Breakdowns

Policy Implications

Research & Links

PDF Fact Sheet

• Physical Fitness
• Weight