State's kids falling behind in fitness

A new report card on child well-being gives California near-failing grades because of its high rates of pediatric obesity and violence against children. Sara Steffens in the Daily News.

One child in every three in the state is either overweight or obese, according to a report released Thursday by the Oakland-based advocacy group Children Now, and just 28percent meet state standards for physical fitness.

Meanwhile, the homicide rate for teens 15-19 jumped 20percent in California from 2001 to 2004 - the most recent year for which information is available.

Forty percent of state students in middle and high schools say their classmates sometimes bring weapons to school.