Obesity and socioeconomic status in children and adolescents: United States, 2005-2008

Abstract

Among non-Hispanic white children and adolescents, the prevalence of obesity increases as income decreases, yet the majority of non-Hispanic white children and adolescents who are obese do not live below 130% of the poverty level. In fact, overall, the majority of obese children do not live below 130% of the poverty level. All boys and girls and non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black girls in highly educated households are less likely to be obese compared with their counterparts in households where the head has less than a high school degree. Between 1988–1994 and 2005–2008 the prevalence of obesity increased in children at all levels of income and education except among girls in households where the head had at least a college degree.