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For the second year in a row, California students have tested relatively low in a series of statewide physical fitness tests, the state Department of Education announced Thursday.

About 31% of students received healthy scores in all six of the tested areas, State Supt. of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said in a statement.

"When we can call fewer than one out of three of our kids physically fit, we know we have a tremendous public health challenge on our hands," said Torlakson, a longtime cross-country coach. "It affects more than their health - study after study has demonstrated the very clear link between physical fitness and academic achievement."

The fitness score dropped to 31% last year, after years of steady improvement, the study's results showed. About 1.3 million fifth-, seventh- and ninth-graders were tested. Of those, only 31% were able to score in what state officials call a "healthy fitness zone."

"While I am glad their fitness levels improve as they make their way through school, we owe it to California's kids to give them more opportunities for exercise, along with better access to healthy foods and clean, fresh water," Torlakson said.

Torlakson's office is continuing to push a year-old initiative to promote healthy choices in schools.
ALSO: Reader photos: Southern California Moments, Day 320 Trains running again at reopened Union Station; delays expected Sheriff's deputy charged with murder brought handcuffed to court
-- Dalina Castellanos
Photo: Sixth-graders stretch at Van Nuys Middle School in 2006. Credit: Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times

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Only 31% of California students are physically fit

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For the second year in a row, California students have tested relatively low in a series of statewide physical fitness tests, the state Department of Education announced Thursday. About 31% of students received healthy scores in all six of the tested areas, State Supt. of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said in a statement.

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Jamie Oliver - TED Talk on Obesity and Food

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http://www.ezhealthbiz.com Join Jamie Oliver in curing the obesity epidemic. We join hands with him. Obesity is the biggest killer today....and it is preventable. How to cure obesity. Teach kids how to cook. Teach kids about food. Nutrition should be taught in schools. Teach kids by showing them what is in food.

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Watch this video and share your thoughts.

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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This sobering video shows the rapid growth in obesity rates across the United States in the last 25 years. Source: http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html Music: Oppressive Gloom by Kevin MacLeod http://incompetech.com/m/c/royalty-free/index.html?feels%5B%5D=Dark&page=2 Add TDC to your circles on Google+ https://plus.google.com/100134925804523235350/posts Join the conversation on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/thedailyconversation Follow The Daily Conversation on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/thedailyconvo