Prevalence of Obesity Among Youths by Household Income and Education Level of Head of Household - United States 2011-2014

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2018 Feb 16;67(6):186-189. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6706a3.

Abstract

Obesity prevalence varies by income and education level, although patterns might differ among adults and youths (1-3). Previous analyses of national data showed that the prevalence of childhood obesity by income and education of household head varied across race/Hispanic origin groups (4). CDC analyzed 2011-2014 data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to obtain estimates of childhood obesity prevalence by household income (≤130%, >130% to ≤350%, and >350% of the federal poverty level [FPL]) and head of household education level (high school graduate or less, some college, and college graduate). During 2011-2014 the prevalence of obesity among U.S. youths (persons aged 2-19 years) was 17.0%, and was lower in the highest income group (10.9%) than in the other groups (19.9% and 18.9%) and also lower in the highest education group (9.6%) than in the other groups (18.3% and 21.6%). Continued progress is needed to reduce disparities, a goal of Healthy People 2020. The overall Healthy People 2020 target for childhood obesity prevalence is <14.5% (5).

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Educational Status*
  • Female
  • Health Status Disparities*
  • Humans
  • Income / statistics & numerical data*
  • Male
  • Nutrition Surveys
  • Pediatric Obesity / epidemiology*
  • Pediatric Obesity / ethnology
  • Prevalence
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Young Adult