Life With Heathens

Childhood obesity could set in at young age

This report comes on the heels of previous CDC data that found a significant decline in obesity prevalence among low-income children aged 2 to 4 years participating in federal nutrition programs, he said. The favorable signs are coming from communities around the country, including Anchorage, Alaska; Philadelphia; New York City; and King County, Wash. This confirms that at least for kids, we can turn the tide and begin to reverse the obesity epidemic, he said. While the precise reasons for the decline in obesity among 2- to 5-year-olds are not clear, many child care centers have started to improve their nutrition and physical activity standards over the past few years. In addition, CDC data show decreases in consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages among youth in recent years. Another possible factor might be the improvement in breastfeeding rates in the United States, which is beneficial to staving off obesity in breastfed children. The first lady said she was thrilled at the progress made over the past few years in obesity rates among the youngest Americans.

The 10-week family-centered program held by the Denver area Children's Hospital teaches youth and their parents ways to lead a healthier more active lifestyle, as a longer lasting weight-loss alternative to dieting. Nationally, some 15 percent of children are overweight or obese, as are some 60 percent of adults. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) (Photo: John Moore Getty Images) SHARE 4 CONNECT 3 TWEET 1 COMMENTEMAILMORE KUSA - A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed children who were overweight in kindergarten were four times as likely to be obese by eighth grade. The greatest increase in obesity prevalence was observed between first and third grade. This data suggests that we may need to target very young children in the prevention of obesity. In kindergarten, one in eight children were obese. By eighth grade, one in five children were obese.