OBESITY IN CHILDREN AND YOUTH 
 
Obese children are more likely to become obese adults. 
 
Obesity in children and youth is a significant public health problem in Georgia. 
 
Percentages of obese* children and youth in Georgia  15,000 (15%) children aged 2-4 years in the Women, 
Infant, and Children (WIC) program are obese  28,000 (24%) third grade children are obese  56,000 (15%) middle school students are obese 
 
Percent of children and youth who are obese in Georgia 
 
50 
 
National Goal: 5% 
 
40 
 
30 
 
24 
 
Percent 
 
 65,000 (14%) high school students are obese 
 The Healthy People 2010 national goal for obesity among children and youth (ages 6-18) is 5% 
 Georgia exceeds the Healthy People 2010 national goal for children and youth in every age, sex, race, and ethnic group 
 
20 
 
15 
 
10 
 
0 
 
WIC 
 
3rd Grade 
 
Children 
 
15 
 
14 
 
Middle High School School 
 
Poor diet and physical inactivity are reasons for the rise in childhood obesity.  
 Only 5 in 9 (55%) middle school students and 4 in 9 (44%) high school students in Georgia meet the CDC requirements for recommended physical activity 
 Over 2 in 5 of Georgia's middle school students (44%) and high school students (43%) watch TV for 3 or more hours on a school day 
 Only 1 in 5 (19%) high school students in Georgia consume 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily 
 
Environments and policies influence health behavior in children. 
 
 Schools can encourage healthy lifestyles in students by adopting policies, environmental features, and providing programs supporting healthy diets and regular physical activity 
 Communities can promote healthy lifestyles in children by creating safe and supportive environments for healthy eating and physical activity 
 
Medical care to treat obese children is costly. 
 Obesity-related hospitalizations of children in Georgia cost $2.1 million a year and continue to rise# 
 
Obese children are at increased risk for other medical conditions. 
 
 Obese children are at increased risk for: 
 
- Hypertension - Sleep apnea 
 
- Diabetes - Low self-esteem 
 
- Asthma 
 
Definition of obesity: *Body Mass Index-for-age = 95th percentile or higher Definition of recommended physical activity: At least 60 minutes of physical activity on 5 or more days per week. Data sources:  2006 Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System  2005 Georgia Oral Health Screening  2007 Georgia Student Health Survey 
# 2007 Georgia Hospital Discharge Data 
 
Georgia Department of Community Health, Division of Public Health  2 Peachtree Street, NW  Atlanta, GA 30303  (404) 657-3103  gdphinfo@dhr.state.ga.us  http://health.state.ga.us