This study examines changes in state-specific obesity and overweight prevalence among US children and adolescents between 2003 and 2007 through a cross-sectional analysis of National Survey of Children’s Health data.
- Results indicate that in 2007, 16.4% of US children were obese and 31.6% were overweight.
- Mississippi has the highest prevalence of childhood obesity and overweight (21.9%) and Oregon has the lowest (9.6%).
- Between 2003 and 2007obesity prevalence increased by 10% for all US children.
- Individual, household, and neighborhood social and built environmental characteristics accounted for 45% and 42% of the state variance in childhood obesity and overweight.
- Researchers suggest that substantial geographic disparities in childhood obesity and overweight exist, indicating potential for considerable reduction in US childhood obesity.
Singh, Gopal K., Kogan, Michael, D., and van Dyck, Peter C. “Changes in State-Specific Childhood Obesity and Overweight Prevalence in the United States From 2003 to 2007.”Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. 164.7 (2010).