Field Poll: Eating Habits, Inactivity Cited as Top Children’s Health Risks

Forty-eight percent of likely California voters said unhealthy eating habits and a lack of exercise are the biggest threats to children's health, according to a new Field Poll, the Sacramento Bee reports.

Meanwhile, 22% of respondents said illegal drug use is the biggest threat to children's health (Garza, Sacramento Bee, 4/4).

The annual poll -- sponsored by the California Endowment -- surveyed 1,000 likely California voters in November 2011 (Tucker, San Francisco Chronicle, 4/4).

Additional Findings

According to the poll:

• 73% of respondents said they believe it is a community's responsibility to address childhood obesity (Sacramento Bee, 4/4); and
• 22% of respondents said reducing childhood obesity should be the responsibility of families.

Meanwhile, the Field Poll found that 57% of respondents said local governments should be able to tax sales of alcohol, cigarettes, junk food or sweetened beverages to pay for anti-obesity programs, if the proposals were approved by a majority of voters (San Francisco Chronicle, 4/4).