Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children

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http://mchb.hrsa.gov/overweight/pdf/overweight.pdf

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children: A

Portrait of States and the Nation, 2005

Dear Colleagues:

The Health Resources and Services Administration is

pleased to present this chartbook highlighting the

major findings of the National Survey of Children’s

Health on overweight and physical activity among

children. This survey, the first of its kind, presents

nationaland state-level information on the health and

well-being of children, their families and

neighborhood environments, and their use of health

services.

The survey includes many positive findings about

weight and physical activity among children aged 10 to

17 years. According to calculations based on

parent-reported height and weight, 85 percent of

children are not considered overweight. The National

Survey of Children’s Health also found that most are

physically active on three or more days per week, and

over half participate in sports teams or take sports

lessons.

Despite these positive findings, 15 percent of

children were found to be overweight and almost 30

percent do not exercise on three or more days per

week. The survey also found that children in certain

populations are more likely to be overweight or not

physically active. For instance, Black and Hispanic

children are more likely to be overweight and are less

likely to be physically active than children of other

racial and ethnic groups. Considering the established

importance of healthy weight and physical activity and

the link between the two, the results of this survey

have important implications for the future health of

today’s children and the policies that affect them.

We at HRSA hope that these findings provide useful

information and are helpful in your efforts to promote

healthy weight and physical activity among America’s

youth.

Sincerely,

M. Duke

Administrator

Department of Health & Human Services

Health Resources and Services Administration