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Rates of severe obesity in WIC-supported children declining
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Although the number of children enrolled in WIC who had severe obesity increased from 2000 to 2004, the prevalence of this condition dropped from 2.12% to 1.96% between 2010 and 2014, according to findings published in JAMA Pediatrics.
“Despite recent declines [in childhood obesity rates], the prevalence of childhood obesity remains high, especially among children living in low-income families because obesity disproportionately affects this vulnerable group,” Liping Pan, MD, MPH, from the division of nutrition, physical activity and obesity at the CDC, and colleagues wrote. “According to a previous CDC study, the prevalence of obesity was 14.5% among young children who were enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children — WIC — in 2014.”
“Obesity and severe obesity in childhood have been associated with other cardiovascular risk factors, impaired glucose tolerance, respiratory problems, increased health care costs and premature death,” they continued. “Those who have obesity or severe obesity during early childhood are also likely to have obesity during middle or late childhood, and obesity often persists into adulthood.”
To observe the patterns of obesity in children enrolled in WIC, specifically by children’s age, sex and race/ethnicity, the researchers collected serial cross-sectional data regarding 22.6 million young children participating in the program. All children were residents in any of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories between 2000 and 2014.
Pan and colleagues defined severe obesity using the 2000 CDC growth charts, where those with the condition had a sex-specific body mass index-for-age that was 120% or more of the 95th percentile. Each child was measured for weight and height. Exclusion criteria included having a missing or biologically implausible sex, weight, height or BMI.
Of the 22.6 million children enrolled in WIC, 1.96% were severely obese in 2014. The prevalence of obesity rose from 1.80% to 2.11% between 2000 and 2004 (APD, 0.26%). This prevalence also rose in all ages, sexes and racial/ethnic groups excluding Asian/Pacific Islander (APD, 0.05%-0.54%). Children who were 4 years old (APR, 1.21), non-Hispanic white (APR, 1.22) and American Indian/Alaska Native children (APR, 1.19) experienced the largest relative increases in obesity.
However, the prevalence of obesity dropped from 2.12% to 1.96% between 2010 and 2014 (APD, –0.14%). This decrease was observed in all groups participating in WIC (APD, –.04% to –.30%). Children who were 2 years of age (APR, 0.88) and Hispanic (APR, 0.92), American Indian/Alaska Native (APR, 0.89) and Asian/Pacific Islander (APR, 0.87) experienced the largest decline in obesity.
“The explanation for the observed downward trends is likely complex. Differences in genetic, behavioral and environmental factors across years may have contributed to the decreases in prevalence of severe obesity,” Pan and colleagues wrote. “A number of federal programs promoted healthful food choices and increased support for families and communities … Recommendations and activities from CDC and comprehensive public health strategies from the Institute of Medicine to prevent and manage childhood obesity may have also played important roles for the declining trends in severe obesity.” – by Katherine Bortz
Disclosures: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.
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