Learning From State Surveillance Of Childhood Obesity

Data on childhood obesity collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention helped reveal the nation's epidemic of overweight and obese children. But more information is needed. Collecting body mass index (BMI)-the widely accepted measurement of childhood weight status-at the state an...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Health Affairs 2010-03, Vol.29 (3), p.463-472
Main Authors: Longjohn, Matt, Sheon, Amy R, Card-Higginson, Paula, Nader, Philip R, Mason, Maryann
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arkansas
Body mass index
Child health
Children & youth
Childrens health
Consent
Data collection
Datasets
Disease control
Health risk assessment
Health risks
Immunization
Longitudinal studies
Obesity
Overweight
Parents & parenting
Personal health
Physical education
Physical fitness
Preschool education
Privacy
Public health
Regulation
Schools
State laws
Students
Studies
Surveillance
Weight control
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Summary:Data on childhood obesity collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention helped reveal the nation's epidemic of overweight and obese children. But more information is needed. Collecting body mass index (BMI)-the widely accepted measurement of childhood weight status-at the state and local levels can be instrumental in identifying and tracking obesity trends, designing interventions to help overweight children, and guiding broader policy solutions. Approximately thirty states have enacted or proposed BMI surveillance laws and regulations. Arkansas stands out as the state with the highest-quality surveillance data. Innovative strategies being pursued in a number of other states should be explored for broader dissemination. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:0278-2715
1544-5208
DOI:10.1377/hlthaff.2009.0733