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( , Sun 1 Apr 2001, 1:00)
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Thing is, either of these reads fine to me;
One in four kids is fat
One in four kids are fat.
( , Thu 18 Apr 2013, 10:49, 2 replies, latest was 12 years ago)

That's the "one in" part of the sentence, you're focusing on that child, which makes it the subject. Therefore because it's "one kid", it's singular. Same for "one percent", they're both still one of something.
If it were "four out of ten kids", it would be a plural.
The mistake occurs because people see the "out of four" bit and think they're talking about a group, when they're not.
( , Thu 18 Apr 2013, 10:54, Reply)

you're not, you're describing a proportion of kids as fat.
"The mistake occurs because people see the "out of four" bit and think they're talking about a group, when they're not."
They are.
( , Thu 18 Apr 2013, 10:57, Reply)

....and one are not.
( , Thu 18 Apr 2013, 10:55, Reply)
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