What's the magic in Oregon that keeps kids lean? It's a mystery health officials would like to solve as they admit all states are failing—by a mile—to meet federal goals for childhood obesity.

Thanks Jim, I agree that poor nutrition and lack of exercise is the key to reasons for obesity. I like being out of doors and while raising the children we would walk nearly everywhere we wanted to go unless we had something heavy to carry. I was a bit paranoid of the homeless and new neighborhood I moved to from the Big Island so I just stayed outside when the children were at play. We lived in Portland Oregon and the weather is wet and wild a lot but that didn't stop us. We had a cat and she'd come out in the rain wind and hail and as soon as everyone's coat was soaked we'd go inside until the drier made them wearable again...except for the cat and she'd let me towel her dry and she'd do the rest.

As far as nutrition I was pretty particular about meals and eating habits. Rarely did we go into the bowels of the grocery store preferring to stick with fruits, vegetables, meat, bread and dairy products on the perimeter. The kids got their "Happy Meals" occasionally and other treats but we didn't keep junk food in the house as empty calories bother me a lot.

I worked and got tired but I had my children and I wanted to raise them in a good way and teach them good habits at an early age. My two youngest falter now and then as adults but they'll call me and tell on themselves. When the youngest was little and wanted a treat she'd ask me, "Did I eat nutritious today?" Her treat was usually fruit and yogurt.

So true, Jim, we know when we've been bad. My oldest daughter and I were talking and she asked why so many young women have belly fat. I know it is caused by too many filler food on top of needed calories for fuel. Go into any grocery store and check out some of the carts and you'll see how many have very few if any whole foods in them.

I'm with you on the corn sweetener thing and it is a shame that companies over use it. I try to steer clear of anything with corn sweeteners or artificial sweeteners.

I do worry about children not having a good start in life and struggling with obesity at an early age. On the island the children seem quite healthy and well fed but the adults can be enormous to the point they cannot walk unassisted. My heart breaks for them, as it must be so painful to live like that.

I do mean the Big Island of Hawaii. It took me a couple of years to settle in and not miss the city. Portland is so much fun and the food offerings are off the charts. I miss Trader Joe's the most I believe and there is very little chance it will every set up on the islands.

There are quite a few tourists showing up these days and I am taken aback by the unhealthy look they seem to carry. Yesterday a cruise ship landed and the passengers looked like they were on their last leg. They were unfriendly and seemed very grumpy. I give everyone eye contact and a smile if they will have it and this group wasn't having it. No wonder the locals show negativity toward some visitors. I watched them from the restaurant where we were having lunch and noticed as usual that the obese seem to always have some kind of food or drink item with them and usually something empty of calories and loaded with sugar.

Wade White I should delete your comment as it is very inappropriate but instead I'll leave it alone so others can see how disrespectful you are being. Your silly comment only shows your negativity in life. Everywhere in this country and others there are problems with drugs.

Portland is a lovely city where many dedicated parents actually keep up with the needs of their children. There are many trails and other means of getting out and having fun while getting exercise and fresh air. We've been nutrition conscious for many years and our young adult children are showing the benefits now as the younger generations will also.

I'll tell you this Wade I've lived most of my adult life close (1 mile) to downtown Portland and I don't see it the way your ex-wife's sister sees it. There are homeless of all ages and drug problems in areas but for the most part it is a very safe city. I have heard many people say they will not visit a big city because it is unsafe but Portland is not like this at all. If your ex-sister-in-law lives in Tualatin, Gresham, Beaverton or Scappoose then I fully understand her qualms about the city and would declare it unsafe. However, some of the biggest drug areas are not centered in cities but in rural areas where the traffic is very light and allows for more privacy.

I am sorry your ex-sister-in-law has had a bad experience however.

I'm not offended at all Wade, don't get me wrong. I've been to a few big cities and never felt intimidated or afraid. Maybe it is my make-up but I don't scare very easily. I grew up outside Portland on a little farm. We had neighbors catching raccoons and opossums for eating and a few lumber tycoons. Everyone was just part of the human race to me and it worked well. I am curious what part of Portland you visited. I'm sorry your experience wasn't a good one.

I guess I became immune to the panhandlers and homeless children hitting everyone up for spare change. This was a problem all over the city and on the SE side where I lived one popular street was crowded with petition gathers vets homeless and others with hands out. I must admit working in the school system for over 20 years I got to know the conditions of the people of the city and didn't give certain behaviors a second thought. What I found for the most part were very dedicated parents doing the best for their children.

As a member of the police force I'm sure your experience is expansive. It is curious how one person sees something one way and another the opposite. I guess this is what makes the human race so interesting.

I worked in Special Education part of my public school experience. In the last school I worked we had two autism classrooms. I truly enjoyed special education classroom. The children amazed me day after day. I once was a substitute teacher here on Hawaii for a developmentally kindergarten class. I had a blast with those ten little buddies. They were very small for their 5-6 years on the planet and at the time my youngest was 3 years old and very tall for her age. The children would beg me to bring my "baby" to school for the end of the day closing popcorn and sharing. She was a lot bigger than most of the children.