This Great Graphic was recently posted on the Washington Post's Wonk Blog by Sarah Kliff. It draws on a new report from the Center for Disease Control. It shows that obesity among preschoolers (2-4 years old) from low-income families has fallen in 19 states and risen in only three.
Until, the CDC report, most of the research has shown the decline in childhood obesity was limited to the higher income households.
It might be a surprise to many who think that the government can't do anything right, but the CDC suggests that government initiatives appear to have played an important contributing role. Local and state government programs that focused on implementing nutrition and physical activity standards for early care and other educational initiatives were important.
The Federal government also helped. One effort, for example, aligned the Women, Infant and Children nutritious foods with national dietary guidelines. Many schools are more rigorously regulating consumption of sugary drinks.
In fairness, the CDC resists talking about causes and focuses on contributing factors. The decrease in childhood obesity that the CDC documents is important regardless of the particular causes. It may help reduce childhood diabetes and other diseases.
Until, the CDC report, most of the research has shown the decline in childhood obesity was limited to the higher income households.
It might be a surprise to many who think that the government can't do anything right, but the CDC suggests that government initiatives appear to have played an important contributing role. Local and state government programs that focused on implementing nutrition and physical activity standards for early care and other educational initiatives were important.
The Federal government also helped. One effort, for example, aligned the Women, Infant and Children nutritious foods with national dietary guidelines. Many schools are more rigorously regulating consumption of sugary drinks.
In fairness, the CDC resists talking about causes and focuses on contributing factors. The decrease in childhood obesity that the CDC documents is important regardless of the particular causes. It may help reduce childhood diabetes and other diseases.
Great Graphic: Decline in Childhood Obesity in the US?
Reviewed by Marc Chandler
on
August 07, 2013
Rating:
Reviewed by Marc Chandler
on
August 07, 2013
Rating:
