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

Abstract

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).

FIGURE 1

Trends*^,† in obesity prevalence among youths (persons aged 2–19 years), by household income — National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, United States, 1999–2002 through 2011–2014 Abbreviation: FPL = federal poverty level. * Linear trend (p<0.05) for females ≤130% of FPL, >130% to ≤350% of FPL. ^† Quadratic trend (p<0.05) for males ≤130% of FPL.

FIGURE 2

Trends* in prevalence of obesity among youths (persons aged 2–19 years), by education level of head of household — National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, United States, 1999–2002 through 2011–2014 * Linear trend (p<0.05) for females, high school graduate or less and some college, and males, high school graduate or less.