The city's childhood obesity rate has fallen for the first time in 30 years.

A new report by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation shows a 5.5 percent drop in the number of obese kids over the past five years.

Researchers looked at students in kindergarten through eighth grades.

Obesity rates dropped across the board, though the declines were smaller among black and Hispanic kids in schools with high poverty rates.

Researchers say the city has emerged as a leader in the fight against childhood obesity.

Experts say obese children are more likely to become obese adults, putting them at a higher risk of heart disease and stroke.