Strategic Focus: Preventing Youth
Obesity
Resources
There is an epidemic of childhood obesity in this country
and it is spreading across all races, genders and socio-
economic classes at a dangerously fast pace. Over 9
million children (16%) of all children in the US between
the ages of 6-19 are overweight. Compared to children of
normal weight, overweight children are more likely to be
obese as an adult and at greater risk for diabetes, heart
disease, stroke and cancer. For overweight children, there
is also an emotional toll that can result in depression,
loneliness and alienation.
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Wellness
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Learn More
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Childhood Obesity – The Health of a Generation at
Risk pdf file -
Children First for Oregon
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Institute of Medicine: Focus on Childhood Obesity
Fact and Figures pdf file
The Role of Schools pdf file
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Action for Healthy Kids – The Value of Improving
Nutrition and Physical Activity in Our Schools - Healthy Kids Learn Better
Terms and Definitions
• Obesity is classified by a measurement called the Body Mass Index (BMI). For adults, a BMI of 25-30 = overweight. A BMI >30 is defined as obesity. [BMI = weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared.]
• For children, the diagnosis of overweight is determined by gender and an age specific BMI. An overweight/obese child has a BMI at or above the 95th percentile. A child is at-risk for overweight with a BMI between the 85th and 94th percentiles.
• According to the National Institutes of Health, there is not an acceptable BMI cut-off point to identify obesity in children so the terms overweight and obese are used inter- changeably and refer to a BMI at or above 95%.
• We interchange the terms in this website.
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