There's some good news when it comes to South Dakota's battle against obesity in its school children. A recent study shows the number of overweight and obese kids in this state is down. Childhood obesity can lead to a lot of problems like heart disease, diabetes and liver disorders. That's why even the slightest decrease in the percentage of overweight and obese students in South Dakota is good news.

For the 2006-2007 school year, 32.9% of students were either overweight or obese. That compares to 33.8% in the 2005-2006 school year. Many school districts around the state have made a concerted effort to reverse the childhood obesity trend. Whether it's by removing junk food and soda from the vending machines, or offering incentives for kids to get moving, many schools are urging kids to embrace a healthier lifestyle.

241 schools took part in this latest survey. When they get the results back, they're also given even more information about how to make sure students stay on a healthier path. Organizers hope even little steps can lead to a big change when it comes to obese kids in South Dakota. To help schools collect and submit accurate height and weight data, the South Dakota Health Department provided 564 scales and measuring boards to schools over the past 5 years.