PHOM Indicator Profile Report of Obesity among children and adolescents

Why Is This Important?

The number of children with obesity is increasing in the United States.^1^ This is a serious health problem, where 1 in 5 children and adolescents are affected. Many factors contribute to weight in childhood, including genetics, behaviors, certain medications, childcare and school environments, health and affordable food access, safe and convenient access to places for physical activity, and built environment design.^2^ Having obesity in childhood is associated with many health conditions, including high blood pressure and cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, asthma, joint problems, and gallbladder disease. There have also been associations with psychological problems (such as anxiety and depression), low self-esteem and quality of life, social problems, and having obesity in adulthood.^3^[[br]] [[br]] ---- 1. CDC [https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/strategies/early-care-education/helping-young-children-thrive/index.html Helping Young Children Thrive][[br]] 2. CDC [https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/obesity/index.htm Obesity][[br]] 3. CDC [https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/basics/consequences.html Consequences of Obesity]

Data Source

Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Health Promotion and Prevention, Healthy Environments Active Living (HEAL) Program Height/Weight Measurement

Data Notes

Childhood obesity is determined by calculating BMI using the height, weight, age, and sex of the child. The child is considered to be obese if the resulting BMI is greater than or equal to the 95th percentile for age and sex based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Growth Charts (2 to 20 years: Boys Body Mass index-for-age percentiles and 2 to 20 years: Girls Body Mass index-for-age percentiles).   [[br]] [[br]] In 2018 height and weight measurements were collected from 3,944 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade students in 69 randomly selected public elementary schools in Utah.

How Are We Doing?

Among adolescents in 2023, 10.4% of Utah public school students in 8th, 10th, and 12th grades had obesity; boys were more likely to have obesity than girls (12.9% compared to 7.8%). The obesity rate in 2023 among adolescents in 8th, 10th, and 12th grades was lower in Summit County (6.1%) and Utah County (8.6%) than the state rate (10.4%). The percentage of children with obesity in Utah increased dramatically in the first decade of the century. From 1994 to 2010 the number of obese third-grade boys increased by 97%, from 6.0 percent in 1994 to 11.8% in 2010. The percentage of third-grade girls with obesity increased by 40% over the same time. In 2010, 8.4% of third-grade girls had obesity compared to 6% in 1994. Childhood obesity in Utah seems to have leveled off since 2010. In 2018, 12.1% of third-grade boys and 8.3% of girls had obesity.

What Is Being Done?

The Utah Department of Health and Human Services Healthy Environments Active Living (HEAL) Program plays a key role in improving the health of residents in the state of Utah. The program was formed in July 2013 (as Healthy Living through Environment, Policy, and Improved Clinical Care: EPICC), through a new funding opportunity from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This allowed for the merging of three previously existing programs: the Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program, the Diabetes Prevention and Control Program, and the Physical Activity, Nutrition and Obesity Program, as well as the addition of a school health program. HEAL was recently restructured as part of a strategic planning process. This new program model focuses on staff and partners working together to address the social determinants of health while advancing health equity and increasing policy, systems, and environmental changes. HEAL works: In schools:[[br]] HEAL encourages [https://heal.utah.gov/schools/ schools] to adopt the [https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/professional_development/e-learning/CSPAP/index.html/ Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program]. This framework encourages students to be physically active for 60 minutes a day through school, home, and community activities. HEAL also works with schools to apply the [https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/wscc/index.htm/ Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Model], which emphasizes the role of the community in supporting academic and health success for students. In worksites:[[br]] HEAL offers training on developing worksite wellness programs called Work@Health. HEAL partners with local health departments to encourage worksites to complete the CDC Scorecard and participate in yearly health risk assessments for their employees. HEAL provides toolkits and other resources for employers interested in implementing wellness programs at [https://heal.utah.gov/worksite-wellness/ Worksite Wellness]. In communities:[[br]] HEAL receives federal funding to partner with worksites, community-based organizations, and local health departments to increase access to [https://heal.utah.gov/nutrition/ fresh fruits and vegetables] in worksite and community settings. HEAL also partners with local health departments to work with cities and/or counties within their jurisdictions to foster a built environment that encourages [https://heal.utah.gov/physical-activity/ physical activity]. In healthcare:[[br]] HEAL works with health care systems to establish community clinical linkages to support individuals [https://heal.utah.gov/diabetes/ at risk for or diagnosed with diabetes] or hypertension to engage in lifestyle change programs such as chronic disease self-management and diabetes prevention programs. In childcare:[[br]] HEAL works with state and local partners through the Childcare Obesity Prevention workgroup to implement policy and systems changes in early care and education across agencies statewide. Ten local health departments statewide have implemented the [https://heal.utah.gov/top-star-providers/ TOP Star Program], which aims to improve the nutrition, physical activity, and breastfeeding policies and environments to achieve best practices in childcare centers and homes.