A new study adds to evidence that severe obesity is becoming more common in young U.S. children. There was some hope that children in a government food program might be bucking a trend in obesity rates.

A new study adds to evidence that severe obesity is becoming more common in young U.S. children.

There was some hope that children in a government food program might be bucking a trend in obesity rates — earlier research found rates were dropping a little about a decade ago for those kids. But an update released Monday in the journal Pediatrics shows the rate bounced back up a bit by 2020.

The increase echoes other national data, which suggests around 2.5% of all preschool-aged children were severely obese during the same period.

    • @[email protected]English
      8•11 months ago

      Prevalence of severe obesity. Severe obesity was defined as a sex-specific body mass index-for-age 120% or more of the 95th percentile on the 2000 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth charts. Children’s weights and heights were measured. Children whose sex, weight, height, or body mass index was missing or biologically implausible were excluded. :from the study

      i recognize that this comment may be intended as a joke but i want to combat the sentiment that research of “obvious” topics is superfluous or worthy of ridicule. these hard data are absolutely required for future action and exactly what you will need to cite when some anti-science bozo goes 🤓☝️ source???

      • @[email protected]English
        6•11 months ago

        Very true, definitely not criticizing the value of the study or saying anything like it isn’t worthwhile. Just a joke about methodology, but thank you for adding this important context!