Nutrition and Health Feature Article

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Childhood Obesity Statistics

By: Tamara C. Warren, Urban Health & Nutrition Specialist

September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness month. The United State Senate passed this declaration on March 26, 2010, to help increase the awareness of childhood obesity within society (Healthier Kids, 2010).

Childhood obesity is on the rise in the United States due to excessive eating, physical inactivity, environmental factors, and genetics. Nationally, an estimated 17% of children ages 2-19 years old are obese. Data from 1976-1980 and 2007-2008 showed increases in the percentages of obese children ages 2-5 years old (5.0%-10.4%); 6-11 years old (6.5% to 19.6%), and 12-19 years old (5.0% to 18.1%). Childhood obesity increases children's risk for developing chronic diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, and cancer (CDC, 2010).

The obesity rate in Alabama is the second highest in the nation (tied with Tennessee), whereas Mississippi is ranked first (TAH, 2010). Among 10-17 years old, Alabama has the fifth highest obesity rate (36.1%). Majority of overweight or obese children are low-income (36.8%) and 28.9% are ages 2-5 years old. Based on race, 39% black children are overweight or obese and 33.5% white children. Nationally, Hispanic children rank the second highest (41%); but there is no data for Alabama (Freedman, Zuguo, Srinivasan, Berenson, & Dietz, 2007).

Aiding in the reduction of these alarming statistics on childhood obesity, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System Urban Affairs and New Nontraditional Programs offer several nutrition and health programs:

1. Community Health, Aerobic and Motivational Program Initiating Optimal Nutrition, better known as CHAMPION (for youth)
2. Black Entertainment Television Summer Camp for Girls (ages 10-12 years), an Extension partnership with the Black Entertainment Television Foundation
3. Urban Nutrition Education Program
4. Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program

These programs provide education on nutrition and chronic diseases in addition to physical activity demonstrations and classes. In order to combat childhood obesity in Alabama, it is going to take educating the parents, youth and public on making healthier lifestyle changes.

To learn more about these programs, scroll down the Alabama Cooperative Extension System's Urban Affairs & New Nontraditional Programs Web page at http://www.aces.edu/urban or contact:

Dr. Tamara C. Warren
Health and Nutrition Specialist
Phone: (256) 372-4981
Email: tcw0004@aces.edu

 

Dr. Donnie L. Cook
Health and Nutrition Specialist
Phone: (256) 372-4983
Email: dcook@aces.edu

Child Policy Research Center. National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH). 2008. Alabama's state fact sheet. Retrieved August 30, 2010.

Freedman, D. S., Zuguo, M., Srinivasan, S. R., Berenson, G. S., & Dietz, W. H. (2007, January). Cardiovascular risk factors and excess adiposity among overweight children and adolescents: the Bogalusa Heart Study. The Journal of Pediatrics, 150(1), 12-17.

Healthier Kids, Brighter Futures. (2010). September is childhood obesity awareness month. Retrieved August 30, 2010.

Ogden, C. L., Carroll, M. D., Curtin, L. R., Lamb, M. M., & Flegal, K. M. (2010, January 20). Prevalence of high body mass index in US children and adolescents, 2007-2008. Journal of the American Medical Association, 303(3), 242-249.

Trust for America's Health. (2010, June). F as in Fat 2010: How obesity threatens America's future. Reports. Retrieved September 8, 2010.