For the first time in more than a decade the obesity rate in the Anchorage School District is on the decline.

Since the early 1990's the Department of Health and the school district have been monitoring students' weight.

Doctors say kids being born now in the U.S. may be the first generation not to live as long as their parents since the nation began because of the health complications from obesity.

Alaska spends a half billion dollars on health care costs a year related to obesity.

Studies show that kids who are physically active do better academically. The Anchorage School District improved the environment at school to create boost learning and help fight obesity.

"With Carol Comeau's leadership the school district began to increase the amount of physical education the kids were getting," said Dr. Ward Hurlburt, Chief Medical Officer. "They also looked at what the kids were consuming they improved the quality of the diets in the cafeterias getting healthier foods there they took the sugar sweetened beverages like soda pop out of the vending machines."

Between 2010 and 2011 the obesity rate in the Anchorage School District fell from 38 to 36 percent.