Local schools could be to blame for a rising trend in childhood obesity, a problem resulting from contracts held with companies that produce unhealthy food and beverages.

The Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health held their annual Partners in Public Health luncheon and conference titled "Our Children's Health, Our Children's Schools: A Call to Action" yesterday at the Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch and Resort, 5601 N. Hacienda Del Sol.

More than 75 benefactors and partners in public health attended the luncheon to hear three guest experts from the UA speak on the topic of childhood obesity.

Statistics were presented that showed 24 percent of Arizona high school students and 24 percent of low-income Arizona children between ages two and five are overweight, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Nicky Teufel-Shone, associate professor at the college, said some schools hold lucrative contracts with Coke and Pepsi, which are based on sales and bringing in revenue of more than $100,000 a year.

"Some public school districts have contracts with beverage distributors that bring in huge revenues every year. This presents an issue when it comes to supporting nutrition," Teufel-Shone said.

Scott Going, associate professor of nutritional sciences and conference speaker, explained the importance of physical activity and education as part of a regular curriculum in schools.

"As a state, we are third on increase in obesity in the last 10 years," Going said. "Physical inactivity is linked to 300,000 deaths each year, second only to tobacco."

Actress Ashley Judd, a major advocate for school nutrition and decreasing nationwide obesity through proper nutrition, was invited to attend this year's conference but was unable to because of a prior engagement.

However, her publicist did send a video featuring Judd, which addressed the current state of nutrition in public schools across the country.