After decades of rising rates, obesity among low-income preschoolers dropped slightly in 19 states and U.S. territories from 2008 to 2011, according to a report released Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The report found that the obesity rate in Florida, Georgia, Missouri, New Jersey, South Dakota and the U.S. Virgin Islands declined at least one percentage point . Rates in 20 states and Puerto Rico held steady, and rates in several states — including Colorado, Tennessee and Pennsylvania — increased.
Graphic
What happens inside a child or teen suffering with obesity?
More health and science news
Lena H. Sun
The rate dropped slightly in 19 states and U.S. territories from 2008 to 2011, according to a report.
Justin Moyer
Five summer science books also inclulde on tasty and healthy ways to eat bugs.
Meeri Kim
Dizziness marks both ailments, but doctors can tell them apart with eye-tracking.
Maryland’s obesity rate dropped slightly, from 15.7 percent in 2010 to 15.3 percent in 2011. In the District, the rate dropped from 13.7 in 2010 to 13.1 in 2011. No information was available for Virginia and seven other states, including Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana.
Researchers said the states where obesity rates have declined have taken action to incorporate healthy eating and active living into children’s lives.
A child is considered obese if his or her body mass index, calculated using weight and height, is at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex.
Previous research shows that about one in eight preschoolers in the United States is obese. Children are five times more likely to be overweight or obese as adults if they are overweight and obese between ages 3 and 5.
Along with smoking and drinking, obesity triggers significant health problems and pushes up health-care spending.
“Although obesity remains an epidemic, the tide has turned for some kids in some states,” CDC Director Tom Frieden said in a statement. “While the changes are small, for the first time in a generation they are going in the right direction. Obesity in early childhood increases the risk of serious health problems for life.”
In a statement, first lady Michelle Obama, who has championed her “Let’s Move” initiative to elevate the issue of children’s health and fitness, said the results announced Tuesday show the country is moving in the right direction.
“Today’s announcement reaffirms my belief that together, we are making a real difference in helping kids across the country get a healthier start to life,” she said.
For the report, CDC researchers analyzed weight and height for nearly 12 million children ages 2 to 4 who participate in federally funded maternal- and child-nutrition programs. Forty states, the District and two U.S. territories — the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico — were included in the study.
The report found that the obesity rate in Florida, Georgia, Missouri, New Jersey, South Dakota and the U.S. Virgin Islands declined at least one percentage point . Rates in 20 states and Puerto Rico held steady, and rates in several states — including Colorado, Tennessee and Pennsylvania — increased.
Graphic
What happens inside a child or teen suffering with obesity?
More health and science news
Lena H. Sun The rate dropped slightly in 19 states and U.S. territories from 2008 to 2011, according to a report.
Justin Moyer Five summer science books also inclulde on tasty and healthy ways to eat bugs.
Meeri Kim Dizziness marks both ailments, but doctors can tell them apart with eye-tracking.
Maryland’s obesity rate dropped slightly, from 15.7 percent in 2010 to 15.3 percent in 2011. In the District, the rate dropped from 13.7 in 2010 to 13.1 in 2011. No information was available for Virginia and seven other states, including Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana.
Researchers said the states where obesity rates have declined have taken action to incorporate healthy eating and active living into children’s lives.
A child is considered obese if his or her body mass index, calculated using weight and height, is at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex.
Previous research shows that about one in eight preschoolers in the United States is obese. Children are five times more likely to be overweight or obese as adults if they are overweight and obese between ages 3 and 5.
Along with smoking and drinking, obesity triggers significant health problems and pushes up health-care spending.
“Although obesity remains an epidemic, the tide has turned for some kids in some states,” CDC Director Tom Frieden said in a statement. “While the changes are small, for the first time in a generation they are going in the right direction. Obesity in early childhood increases the risk of serious health problems for life.”
In a statement, first lady Michelle Obama, who has championed her “Let’s Move” initiative to elevate the issue of children’s health and fitness, said the results announced Tuesday show the country is moving in the right direction.
“Today’s announcement reaffirms my belief that together, we are making a real difference in helping kids across the country get a healthier start to life,” she said.
For the report, CDC researchers analyzed weight and height for nearly 12 million children ages 2 to 4 who participate in federally funded maternal- and child-nutrition programs. Forty states, the District and two U.S. territories — the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico — were included in the study.