August 26, 2003 -- Monica Balderrama, KFOX News at Nine.

The Texas Agriculture Commissioner says that's because of the high number of obese children in Texas, especially in El Paso.

A study performed last year found that at least 17 percent of elementary school students in El Paso have diabetes.

State officials held a press conference today in an effort to inform the public and stop this growing trend.

Audry Kennedy wants to make sure her children stay healthy. But noticing other kids at school worries her.

Audry Kennedy- Parent, "It's pretty bad here, I see a lot of kids overweight for being so small."

The Centers for Disease Control has classified obesity as a national epidemic. And obesity can lead to diabetes.

Susan Combs- Texas Agriculture Commissioner, The problem with type 2 diabetes is that it could lead to blindness, amputations, could lead to heart trouble, stroke. All kind of serious and life threatening illnesses."

The Texas Agriculture Commissioner, Susan Combs who was leading the press conference today says in the last 10 years society has drastically changed eating habits.

Combs, "We've gotten lazy in a sense about our food. Which is why I put in a program at schools, you don't get a soft drink at breakfast in an elementary school."

Dr. Luis Acosta- Physician, "The ignorance of the parents in regards to food and which is better for you kids. The easiness of acquiring junk food instead real food."

Dr. Luis Acosta has been noticing the growing number of children who are being diagnosed with diabetes. He says part of the problem is our culture.

Acosta, "People confuse Mexican food with junk food, people think fried tacos are Mexican food and tostadas and enchiladas should be greasy."

But it doesn't have to be that way. Commissioner Susan Combs says there's already a mandated school nutrition policy, now parents have to do their part.

Combs, "We really want parents to partner, parents put kids to bed, they get them up in the morning, they instruct kids. Parents have to take a look at the long term health of children."

Parents like Audry, who are aware of the problem, try to do what they can to teach kids good eating habits.

Kennedy, "Since he started in kinder, I always pack healthy lunches, carrots, he wouldn't eat half of it, but at least some of it."

Children who have two working parents may be inclined to eat junk food or fast food for dinner.

Lack of exercise is another problem, especially in the summer when kids don't have school and watch T.V. all day instead.

Dr. Luis Acosta says avoiding this is easy and inexpensive. He says you only have to cook once a week and save it in small packages for the rest of the week.

For more suggestions you can log on to the Department of Agriculture website at www.fns.usda.gov/tn.