Overweight among high school children: how does Wisconsin rank?

The rate of childhood overweight is increasing among our nation's youth. This epidemic has led to an increase of comorbidities such as high blood pressure and diabetes being treated in the pediatric population. This paper analyzes self-reported heights and weights to determine trends in the prevalence of overweight among US students in grades 9-12.

Data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System from 1999 to 2003 were used to determine the prevalence of overweight--which is defined as a BMI < 85th percentile for age and gender--in 41 participating states. (Data from the "at risk of overweight" group [defined as BMI > or = 85 percentile and < 95 percentile] and the "overweight" group [defined as BMI > or = 95 percentile] were combined and labeled as "overweight" [BMI > or = 85 percentile] to make communication of results more clear.)

The prevalence of overweight adolescents in Wisconsin increased slightly during the past 4 years, from 22.6% in 1999 to 24.1% in 2003, with adolescent males 50% more likely than females to be overweight. In 2003, Wisconsin's rate of overweight was the 14th lowest among 41 states reporting to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Colorado is lowest at 15.7% and Mississippi is highest at 31.4%.) When examining races separately, Wisconsin's ranking decreases slightly, but remains in the top half of all states reporting.

The prevalence of childhood overweight in Wisconsin appears to be rising, following the national trend. The prevalence of overweight among high school students is lowest in the Rocky Mountain states. Understanding reasons for these differences may shed light on strategies to decrease overweight in Wisconsin.