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. 2010 Jul;18(7):1360-8.
doi: 10.1038/oby.2009.305. Epub 2009 Oct 1.

Changes in the regional prevalence of child obesity in 4th, 8th, and 11th grade students in Texas from 2000-2002 to 2004-2005

Deanna M Hoelscher  1 , Steven H Kelder, Adriana Pérez, R Sue Day, Julia S Benoit, Ralph F Frankowski, Joey L Walker, Eun S Lee
Affiliations

Changes in the regional prevalence of child obesity in 4th, 8th, and 11th grade students in Texas from 2000-2002 to 2004-2005

Deanna M Hoelscher et al. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2010 Jul.

Abstract

Although national and state estimates of child obesity are available, data at these levels are insufficient to monitor effects of local obesity prevention initiatives. The purpose of this study was to examine regional changes in the prevalence of obesity due to statewide policies and programs among children in grades 4, 8, and 11 in Texas Health Services Regions (HSRs) between 2000-2002 and 2004-2005, and nine selected counties in 2004-2005. A cross-sectional, probability-based sample of 23,190 Texas students in grades 4, 8, and 11 were weighed and measured to obtain BMI. Obesity was >95th percentile for BMI by age/sex using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth charts. Child obesity prevalence significantly decreased between 2000-2002 and 2004-2005 for 4th grade students in the El Paso HSR (-7.0%, P = 0.005). A leveling off in the prevalence of obesity was noted for all other regions for grades 4, 8, and 11. County-level data supported the statistically significant decreases noted in the El Paso region. The reduction of child obesity levels observed in the El Paso area is one of the few examples of effective programs and policies based on a population-wide survey: in this region, a local foundation funded extensive regional implementation of community programs for obesity prevention, including an evidence-based elementary school-based health promotion program, adult nutrition and physical activity programs, and a radio and television advertising campaign. Results emphasize the need for sustained school, community, and policy efforts, and that these efforts can result in decreases in child obesity at the population level.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Texas Health Services Regions, 2004–2005.1 1Numbers indicate original division of regions; lines indicate current boundaries for administrative and management purposes. (13)
Figure 2
Figure 2
Distribution of Counties selected for Texas SPAN, 2004–2005.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Prevalence of child obesity1 among students in selected Texas Counties, Texas SPAN2, 2004–2005. 1Obesity indicates ≥ 95th percentile by gender & age for CDC charts. 2School Physical Activity and Nutrition
Figure 3
Figure 3
Prevalence of child obesity1 among students in selected Texas Counties, Texas SPAN2, 2004–2005. 1Obesity indicates ≥ 95th percentile by gender & age for CDC charts. 2School Physical Activity and Nutrition
Figure 3
Figure 3
Prevalence of child obesity1 among students in selected Texas Counties, Texas SPAN2, 2004–2005. 1Obesity indicates ≥ 95th percentile by gender & age for CDC charts. 2School Physical Activity and Nutrition
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