After decades of unrelenting increases in rates of childhood obesity, we’re finally beginning to see rates decline in some cities, counties, and states. Below is a visual representation of progress across the country, and profiles of places leading the movement.
Nearly seven years ago, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation set a goal of reversing the childhood obesity epidemic by 2015, and we committed $500 million to the cause. It’s an ambitious goal, to be sure—but these signs of progress strengthen my confidence that, together, we can do it!
- Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, MD, MBA, RWJF President and CEO
From 2008 to 2011, there were widespread decreases in obesity rates among preschool children from low-income families
States making strong, far-reaching changes to address childhood obesity report progress in reducing rates
Places making strong, far-reaching changes to address childhood obesity report progress in reducing rates
Obesity Rates Drop Among Young Children in 18 States
From 2008 to 2011, there was widespread progress in reducing obesity among preschool children from low-income families
A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows widespread progress in reducing obesity among preschool children enrolled in federal health and nutrition programs. This is the first time in decades that rates have dropped among young children from low-income families, who typically have higher rates of childhood obesity.
Among the places with declines, the U.S. Virgin Islands had the greatest decrease, from 13.6 percent in 2008 to 11 percent in 2011. Florida, Georgia, Missouri, New Jersey, and South Dakota saw rates drop by at least one percentage point during that period. Rates remained stable in 20 states and Puerto Rico and increased in only three states - Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.
The authors of the report documenting the declines cite several factors that may have played a role:
updates to the food package for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children;
new nutrition and physical activity standards for early child-care programs; and
Four States Lead the Way in Efforts to Reduce Childhood Obesity
States making strong, far-reaching changes to address childhood obesity report progress in reducing rates
California, Mississippi, New Mexico, and West Virginia have documented statewide declines in childhood obesity rates. The time period for progress and the ages of the children showing improvement are different for each state, but all of the reports are based on real measurements of height and weight from a large number of children. The declines range from a 1.1 percent drop among students in grades 5, 7, and 9 in California, to a 13.3 percent decline among K-5 students in Mississippi.
Each state faces unique challenges and has taken its own approach to addressing childhood obesity, but there is a common thread. All four states have made broad, sweeping changes to make healthy foods available in schools and communities and integrate physical activity into people's daily lives. Some of their strategies include:
implementing state-level legislation to create healthier schools and child-care centers;
incorporating initiatives that support walking and bicycling in transportation plans;
requiring chain restaurants to post nutrition information; and
creating joint-use agreements that allow community members to use school facilities for physical activity during non-school hours.
From Anchorage to New York City - Local Efforts to Prevent Obesity
Places making strong, far-reaching changes to address childhood obesity report progress in reducing rates
Childhood obesity rates have declined in Anchorage, Alaska; Eastern Massachusetts; Kearney, Neb.; New York City; Philadelphia; and Vance and Granville Counties, N.C. The time period for progress and age range of the children showing improvement are different for each location, but all of the reports are based on real measurements of height and weight from a large number of children. The declines range from a 3 percent drop among students in grades K, 1, 3, 5, and 7 in Anchorage, to a 21.4 percent decline among children under age 6 in Eastern Massachusetts.
Each city, county, or region faces unique challenges and has taken its own approach to addressing childhood obesity, but there is a common thread. These six places have made broad, sweeping changes to make healthy foods available in schools and communities and integrate physical activity into people's daily lives. Some of their strategies include:
implementing local wellness policies to create healthier schools;
creating incentives to bring supermarkets to underserved areas;
providing architects and urban designers with guidelines for designing buildings, streets, and urban spaces that support physical activity; and
developing plans to help people walk and bicycle in their community.
