Preschoolers in 18 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands are a little skinnier, according to new data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
From 2008 to 2011, there were small – but statistically significant – decreases in the prevalence of obesity among 2- to 5-year-olds in these states, Dr. Thomas Frieden said during a press briefing.
"This is a bright spot for our nation’s youngest kids. These data show a tipping point from a steady increase or leveling off in most areas of the country to decreases in many areas."
The findings were reported in the Aug. 6 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR 2013;62:1-6).
Dr. Thomas Frieden
Although cautioning that "we’re very far from being out of the woods," Dr. Frieden said these are the first signs of widespread change that could, in the future, lead to improved health outcomes for children.
Across the 19 states and territories with significant downward trends, the absolute decrease in obesity prevalence from 2008 to 2011 ranged from 0.3% to 2.6%. The relative decreases in obesity prevalence ranged from 1.8% to 19.1%.
The U.S. Virgin Islands posted the biggest change. In that territory, the prevalence of obesity among 2- to 5-year-olds declined from 18.6% in 2008 to 11% in 2011 – an absolute decrease of 2.6%.
Five other states – Florida, Georgia, Missouri, New Jersey, and South Dakota – posted absolute decreases in obesity prevalence of 1% or more during the same period.
Other states with decreasing rates were California, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, and Washington.
Obesity prevalence among preschoolers increased in Colorado, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania, with relative increases ranging from 5.2% to 6.4%
Several states, including a few with high obesity rates, didn’t post any data (Louisiana, Maine, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Wyoming). But even if they had been added in as increasing or maintaining prevalence, they would still not have exceeded the 18 that posted the decreases.
The rest of the states, and Puerto Rico, had steady rates.
The data included height and weight measurements on 11.6 million children who participated in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s annual Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System (PedNSS) report from 2008 to 2011. Most of the children in this report participate in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), so the data show a snapshot of low-income children. However, a subanalysis that controlled for household income didn’t significantly change the findings,
Several things probably contributed to the improvements in obesity, Dr. Frieden said, including changes in the WIC policy and federal recommendations for food and activity programs in schools and child care centers.
"These facilities are much more likely to provide low-fat or fat-free milk. There has also been a shift from juice to serving whole fruits and vegetables.
The changes are probably also related to a larger national emphasis on the benefits of breastfeeding, Dr. Frieden added. "Unfortunately, there were some aspects of the prior WIC program that unintentionally may have made breastfeeding seem less attractive."
Federal obesity awareness programs such as "Let's Move" may also have helped, he said. The national program stresses at least 1 hour of physical activity per day for children, limits on screen time, and opening school physical activity areas during non–school hours.
The decreases in obesity are encouraging but are just a start on what’s really needed to safeguard long-term health, Dr. Frieden said. "About one in eight children this age are obese; the rate among African American children is one in five, and one in six for Hispanic kids. The rates increase in adolescence and adulthood. Obesity contributes to high cholesterol, high blood sugar, and asthma in children, and to some of the leading causes of death among adults."
In addition to the cost in health and lives, obesity takes an enormous financial toll on the country, he added. "Adult obesity cost us about $150 billion in 2008. It’s a complex problem, and it won’t be quick or simple to cure. It will turn gradually, and we must continue doing whatever we can to drive it down. But avoiding obesity in the first place is the best intervention, and that’s why we are so encouraged to see this change in this age group."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention administers the survey.
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