Our children are losing the battle against obesity. The percentage of children defined as at risk of being overweight or being overweight increased from a 1999-2000 survey when compared to the data from 2001-2002.
The data is from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Beginning in 1960, NHANES collected data on the height and weight of thousands of Americans. Information from growth charts prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were used. To be classified as "at risk for overweight," the child's weight is at or above the 85th percentile for their height, but less than the 95th percentile. To be classified as "overweight," the child was at or above the 95th percentile.
Among children six through nineteen years old, in 1999-2000, 15% were at risk for being overweight and 15% were overweight. In 2001-2002, 15% were at risk for being overweight and 16.5% were overweight. Although the increase may seem small, it represents a 10% increase in the percentage of children who are overweight.
What's more important is that there has been no decline. Despite all the information on the long term dangers of obesity, over 30% of children are too heavy.
The Journal of the American Medical Association, 6/16/04.
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