2010 Georgia Data Summary: 
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  20,500 (15%) children aged 2-4 years in the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) program are obese 
 
Percent of Children and Youth that are Overweight or Obese in Georgia Healthy People 2010 National Goal: 5% 
50 
 
 28,000 (24%) third grade children are obese 
 43,000 (15%) middle school students are obese 
 55,000 (12%) high school students are obese 
 Georgia exceeds the Healthy People 2010 national goal for children and youth in every age, sex, race and ethnic group 
 The Healthy People 2020 national goal for obesity among children and youth (ages 2-18) is 14.6% 
 
P ercent 
 
45 
 
40 
 
35 
 
30 
 
25 
 
15 
 
20 
 
15 
 
10 
 
16 
 
5 
 
0 WIC Children 
 
24 
19 
3rd Grade 
 
Overweight Obese 
 
15 12 
 
19 
 
15 
 
Middle School 
 
High School 
 
Poor diet and physical inactivity are reasons for the rise in childhood obesity 
 
 Only 5 in 9 (52%) middle school students and 4 in 9 (43%) high school students in Georgia meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requirements for recommended physical activity 
 Over 2 in 5 of Georgia's middle school students (44%) and high school students (39%) watch TV for 3 or more hours on a school day 
 
 Only 1 in 6 (17%) high school students in Georgia consume 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily 
 
Environments and policies that will 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 
 
-Diabetes 
 
-Asthma 
 
-Sleep apnea 
 
-Low self-esteem 
 
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:  2009 Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System  2005 Georgia Oral Health Screening 2009 Georgia Student Health Survey #2007 Georgia Hospital Discharge Data