Obesity in Young Children May be Improving According to Data from the CDC

Perhaps one of the biggest drivers in health care costs, obesity is a growing problem in the United States. Some good news today, however, as the recent data from the CDC appears to show a drop in obesity in young children.

While the overall obesity rates in the country have flat-lined, the data published in the February 26 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association show a significant decline in obesity among children aged 2 to 5 years.



According to the CDC data, roughly 10 years ago nearly 14 percent of children in this age range fell into the obese category. That number has since dropped to 8 percent, or a decline of 43 percent according to 2011-2012 data.

The data for the study comes from the CDC’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). “We continue to see signs that, for some children in this country, the scales are tipping. 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,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H.

“We’ve also seen signs from communities around the country with obesity prevention programs including Anchorage, Alaska, Philadelphia, New York City and King County, Washington. This confirms that at least for kids, we can turn the tide and begin to reverse the obesity epidemic.”

Not all factors which are driving the change are precisely clear. However, experts believe that changes in nutrition and physical activity within child care facilities, and a decrease in consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages among youth (supported by CDC data) are playing a role.

“I am thrilled at the progress we’ve made over the last few years in obesity rates among our youngest Americans,” said Michelle Obama, First Lady of the United States of America. “With the participation of kids, parents, and communities in Let’s Move! these last four years, healthier habits are beginning to become the new norm.”