Prevalence of Obesity Among Youths by Household Income and Education Level of Head of Household — United States 2011–2014

• Published in: MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report Vol. 67; no. 6; pp. 186 - 189
• Main Authors: Ogden, Cynthia L., Carroll, Margaret D., Fakhouri, Tala H., Hales, Craig M., Fryar, Cheryl D., Li, Xianfen, Freedman, David S.
• Format: Journal Article Newsletter
• Language: English
• Published: United States Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 16.02.2018; U.S. Government Printing Office; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Subjects: Analysis; Child health; Childhood obesity; Education; Full Report; Health surveys; Personal income; Surveys; Youth
• ISSN: 0149-2195; 1545-861X
• DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6706a3

Obesity prevalence varies by income and education level, although patterns might differ among adults and youths (1-3). Previous analyses of national data showed that the prevalence of childhood obesity by income and education of household head varied across race/Hispanic origin groups (4). CDC analyzed 2011-2014 data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to obtain estimates of childhood obesity prevalence by household income (≤130%, >130% to ≤350%, and >350% of the federal poverty level [FPL]) and head of household education level (high school graduate or less, some college, and college graduate). During 2011-2014 the prevalence of obesity among U.S. youths (persons aged 2-19 years) was 17.0%, and was lower in the highest income group (10.9%) than in the other groups (19.9% and 18.9%) and also lower in the highest education group (9.6%) than in the other groups (18.3% and 21.6%). Continued progress is needed to reduce disparities, a goal of Healthy People 2020. The overall Healthy People 2020 target for childhood obesity prevalence is <14.5% (5).