Healthy Children are Important to Us

Approximately 12.5 million children and adolescents between the ages of 2-19 are obese. Low-income children are in more danger of being obese since 1 of 7 low-income and preschool-aged children is obese and have a risk of chronic disease.

The prevalence of obesity among children aged 6-11 years increased from 6.5% in 1980 to 19.6% in 2008. The prevalence of obesity among adolescents ages 12-19 years increased from 5% to 18.1%.

Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the last 30 years.

Thankfully, from 2003 through 2010, the prevalence of obesity decreased slightly from 15.21% to 14.94%. By working together to decrease the threat of obesity for local children, the DFF hopes to decrease their risk for chronic illnesses and increase healthy lifestyles.

*The National Center Disease Prevention and Health Promotion