Amalia K. Corby-Edwards
Analyst in Public Health and Epidemiology
In children and adolescents, obesity is defined as being at or above the 95th percentile of the ageand sex-specific body mass index (BMI); overweight is defined as being between the 85th and 94th percentiles, based on growth charts developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey has gathered data showing that, over the past three decades, obesity rates have tripled among children and adolescents. Today, about 32% of U.S. children and adolescents between the ages of 2 and 19 are overweight, and more than half of those children are considered obese.
The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children varies by age, race, ethnicity, geographic location, and socioeconomic status. In 2007-2008, 10% of children ages 2 to 5 were obese, while nearly 20% of children ages 6 to 19 were obese. Overweight and obesity are more prevalent among certain minority groups and low-income children. Additionally, states with the highest child and adolescent obesity rates are concentrated in the Southeastern region of the United States. Studies suggest that, while these demographic factors are related to weight, behavioral factors, including energy intake, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors also play a role.
The Obama Administration and Congress have shown a strong interest in developing policies to reverse this trend. Federal policies to address childhood obesity span many departments, including the Departments of Health and Human Services, Education, and Agriculture, among others. Reducing childhood obesity is also a major initiative of the First Lady and the Secretary of Health and Human Services. In May 2010, the President’s Task Force on Childhood Obesity released an action plan with a series of recommendations to reduce childhood obesity prevalence to 5% from the current 17% by 2030.
Congress is seeking to address this issue through legislation that promotes nutrition, healthy weight, and fitness, particularly in communities, schools, and federal nutrition programs. Some proposed legislation supports research and support of best practices in both federal and community programs. Others have proposed increased monitoring of BMI by health care providers. This report is designed to provide an overview of the data being used to inform federal obesity policy. It analyzes obesity among children and adolescents, including a discussion of obesity measurement, trends in obesity rates, and differences that exist across gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and geographic location.
Date of Report: September 21, 2010
Number of Pages: 20
Order Number: R41420
Price: $29.95
Follow us on TWITTER at http://www.twitter.com/alertsPHP or #CRSreports
Document available via e-mail as a pdf file or in paper form.
To order, e-mail Penny Hill Press or call us at 301-253-0881. Provide a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover card number, expiration date, and name on the card. Indicate whether you want e-mail or postal delivery. Phone orders are preferred and receive priority processing.
Analyst in Public Health and Epidemiology
In children and adolescents, obesity is defined as being at or above the 95th percentile of the ageand sex-specific body mass index (BMI); overweight is defined as being between the 85th and 94th percentiles, based on growth charts developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey has gathered data showing that, over the past three decades, obesity rates have tripled among children and adolescents. Today, about 32% of U.S. children and adolescents between the ages of 2 and 19 are overweight, and more than half of those children are considered obese.
The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children varies by age, race, ethnicity, geographic location, and socioeconomic status. In 2007-2008, 10% of children ages 2 to 5 were obese, while nearly 20% of children ages 6 to 19 were obese. Overweight and obesity are more prevalent among certain minority groups and low-income children. Additionally, states with the highest child and adolescent obesity rates are concentrated in the Southeastern region of the United States. Studies suggest that, while these demographic factors are related to weight, behavioral factors, including energy intake, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors also play a role.
The Obama Administration and Congress have shown a strong interest in developing policies to reverse this trend. Federal policies to address childhood obesity span many departments, including the Departments of Health and Human Services, Education, and Agriculture, among others. Reducing childhood obesity is also a major initiative of the First Lady and the Secretary of Health and Human Services. In May 2010, the President’s Task Force on Childhood Obesity released an action plan with a series of recommendations to reduce childhood obesity prevalence to 5% from the current 17% by 2030.
Congress is seeking to address this issue through legislation that promotes nutrition, healthy weight, and fitness, particularly in communities, schools, and federal nutrition programs. Some proposed legislation supports research and support of best practices in both federal and community programs. Others have proposed increased monitoring of BMI by health care providers. This report is designed to provide an overview of the data being used to inform federal obesity policy. It analyzes obesity among children and adolescents, including a discussion of obesity measurement, trends in obesity rates, and differences that exist across gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and geographic location.
Date of Report: September 21, 2010
Number of Pages: 20
Order Number: R41420
Price: $29.95
Follow us on TWITTER at http://www.twitter.com/alertsPHP or #CRSreports
Document available via e-mail as a pdf file or in paper form.
To order, e-mail Penny Hill Press or call us at 301-253-0881. Provide a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover card number, expiration date, and name on the card. Indicate whether you want e-mail or postal delivery. Phone orders are preferred and receive priority processing.
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