Twenty-seven percent of 6-to-19-year-olds in California are overweight according to the Center for Public Health Advocacy, a nonpartisan organization that conducted the review based on state data.

"Childhood overweight and physical inactivity have reached epidemic levels in California, dooming our children to serious health problems now and in the future, and saddling the state's economy with exorbitant and preventable long-term costs," according to the study which is published on the Center's web site.

There are two main causes for fatter kids: over the years there has been an increase in the amount of junk foods available to students enrolled in our public and private schools. Cheetos and Pepsi lunches from vending machines are more the norm as compared to past generations of school children. Physical inactivity is the second reason. Kids are more likely to recreate with video games or sit in front of a television than they are likely to have physically active outdoor games or sports.

The whole world is getting fatter. The information society has led to more of us leading sedintary lifestyles; couple that with effective advertising for cars, fast food and immediate results, it's no wonder we're getting bigger.