POCATELLO - Thirty-percent of Southeast Idaho kids are either overweight or at risk to becoming overweight.

This is the first time there has been evidence of a problem with weight in Southeast Idaho that has been seen across the country.

So the Health Department plans to start educating people about what they need to change to make sure kids stay healthy. Tracy McCulloch, Southeastern District Health Department Health Education Specialist said, "It's just all about eating healthy and moving, exercising."

For the last year the Southeastern Health Department has been measuring the body mass index of third graders to see if they're at a healthy weight. The third graders were chosen because they're normally at a stable weight and between growth spurts.

The study found that one reason for the large number of overweight students is a lack exercise. McCulloch said, "Now with video games and tv and computers, kids just are not moving like they used to."

Reducing the amount of candy, and other sugary foods like soda that kids eat will also help them avoid problems.

Health experts also recommend that kids spend at least an hour a day exercising and moving around. McCulloch said, "They can go outside during wintertime and play in the snow, go sledding. And also, it's important that the parents get involved too, because the parents are rolemodels to these children."

Kids who are overweight have an increased chance of having type two diabetes, among other problems. "We need to get it under control now, because these children will grow up to be obese and the health problems will increase," said McCulloch.

Health specialists admit there are no quick fixes for this problem, but will soon start working with schools and communities to change things.

If you call the Idaho Careline at 211 you can get a free calendar with ideas of healthy changes you can make for yourself and your family.