Manhattan Beach Kids Have Low Obesity Rate

Manhattan Beach kids have the lowest rate of childhood obesity in the state, according to a new study by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research and the California Center for Public Health Advocacy.

With only 11.3 percent of its students being rated as obese, the city's closest rivals include Laguna Beach at 14.3 percent, Agoura Hilla at 15.6 percent, Danville at 16.5 percent, Carlsbad at 16.8 percent, Lafayette at 17.8 percent, Saratoga at 18.2 percent, Newport Beach at 18.3 percent, Cupertino at 18.4 percent, Palo Alto at 18.4 percent, Encinitas at 18.5 percent and Laguna Niguel at 19.4 percent. 

The study used data from the California Department of Education’s 2010 Physical Fitness Tests to examine geographical variation in overweight and obesity among fifth, seventh, and ninth grade school children, analyzing more than 250 California cities.

Cities at 50 percent or higher include Brawley, Compton, El Monte, Huntington Park, Maywood, National City, Port Hueneme, Richmond, San Pablo, South Gate and Stanton.

Knowing what you know about Manhattan Beach, nutrition and exercise, why do you think MB ranks so high in terms of not having very many obese kids?

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