After going up for the past 25 years, the percentage of American children who are overweight or obese has stopped rising, according to a new study. So, does this mean there’s an end in sight for the childhood obesity epidemic?
For now, I think it makes sense to take this bit of good news with a bit of caution. No need to celebrate just yet.
Here’s what the study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found:
About 32 percent of children were overweight or obese in 2003-04. That number stayed the same for 2005-06 - holding steady after rising nonstop since 1980.
Some experts say the findings could be a statistical fluke. But if the leveling-off is real, they say it could be because more schools and parents are stressing better eating habits and more exercise.
The results are based on 8,165 children ages two to 19 who were in government health surveys in 2003-04 and 2005-06. The surveys are considered the most accurate reflection of obesity levels because they are based on measurements made in-person rather than relying on people’s own reports.
Last year, CDC research showed obesity rates for men also held steady at about 33 percent from 2003-04 to 2005-06 after going up for two decades. Women reached their plateau of 35 percent in 2003-04 and have remained there since.
Next year’s CDC report could really help us see where childhood obesity is heading. Until then, let’s take this good news and keep plugging away at those healthy eating habits and exercise.
The study is in today’s edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Tags: CDC, childhood obesity, JAMA, Obesity Epidemic
