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Obesity prevalence still rising among some children
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted March 15, 2010
Rates of obese and overweight children seem to be leveling off nationally. But the numbers are still rising among certain groups, including those who are publicly insured or living in low-income households, says a study in the March Health Affairs.
Researchers analyzed data of children age 10 to 17 from both the 2003 and 2007 National Survey of Children's Health. The combined prevalence of obesity and overweight among this group increased slightly from 30.6% in 2003 to 31.6% in 2007 (link).
Rates increased more substantially among publicly insured children, rising from 39.6% in 2003 to 43.2% in 2007. A jump from 39.8% to 44.8% was found in children living in low-income households.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2010/03/15/prbf0315.htm.
