Obesity in children increasing in U.S.
NEW YORK - A new study finds that obesity rates among American children are skyrocketing.
Researchers at Louisiana State University studied the data of almost 15,000 children and teens over nearly a decade.
They found that obesity rates among children between the ages of 2 and 19 increased from 17.7% to 21.5% between 2011 and 2020.
Last year the CDC reported that even young children are seeing higher obesity levels. In 2020 obesity prevalence was 12.7% among 2- to 5-year-olds.
Obesity prevalence was 26.2% among Hispanic children, 24.8% among non-Hispanic Black children, 16.6% among non-Hispanic White children, and 9.0% among non-Hispanic Asian children.
Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile of the CDC sex-specific BMI-for-age growth charts.
Doctors recommend parents implement activity plans and healthy eating habits for their children to maintain a healthy weight.