Study: Half of All Kids in Lompoc Are Obese - KCOY Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo - News

LOMPOC, Calif - A UCLA study found that more than half of all 5th, 7th and 9th grade kids in Lompoc are obese. The Healthy Lompoc Coalition received a $400,000 federal grant to try and change that.

Lompoc's childhood obesity rate is more than double the state's average, at 48.6 percent.

"We need to bring that way down," said Conrad Gonzales. "That's a staggering amount."

The coalition works with agencies like The Boys and Girls Club to implement programs to reduce the obesity rate.

Kids seen walking out of Lompoc High School for lunch headed straight to fast food restaurants. "It's the closest to school," says Martin Tamayo. He says the school doesn't serve much of anything healthier.

The study also says low-income and minority kids suffer most from obesity because they have less access to affordable, healthy food.

Study: Half of All Kids in Lompoc Are Obese