Generation XL: UC science on youth and obesity

UC scientists across the state have investigated the factors leading to today’s obesity epidemic. “Generation XL” describes UC San Francisco research into the recent trend of obese infants.

Findings show that the next generation's health depends more than we knew on the health of today's mothers. Addiitional research from UC appears in California Agriculture journal, including communitywide studies to help one-third of school-aged children who are overweight or obese.

This edition features a UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) initiative focused on California youth at risk. By 2030 nearly half of the state’s adults could be obese, increasing their risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Delaine Eastin, former California Superintendent of Public Instruction, launches the collection.

UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) researchers are piloting controlled studies with community partners, including Shaping Healthy Choices. Other initiative programs aim to boost science literacy, and foster positive youth development.

Video courtesy of UCTV Prime's series, "The Skinny on Obesity," featuring Dr. Robert Lustig and his UCSF colleagues.