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Overview
Obesity has
emerged as a public health crisis, nationally and in
Connecticut. Over
the past quarter century (from 1976-1980 to 2003-2004), the
percentage of American children who fit the definition
of "obese" has shot up dramatically, tripling for those aged 12
to 19 (from 5 percent to 17.4 percent) and nearly tripling for
those aged 6 to 11 (from 6.5 percent to 18.8 percent.)
In 2005, one
in four (26 percent) Connecticut high school students were obese
(11 percent) or overweight (15 percent).
Weight problems in childhood often continue into adulthood.
Nationally, more than 50 percent of all obese 6-year-olds are
projected to become obese adults. The adult obesity rate in
Connecticut
nearly doubled
over the past 15 years, rising from 12 percent in 1990 to 20
percent in 2005.
The potential consequences of obesity are significant. Obese
children face increased risk for Type 2 diabetes, hypertension,
stroke, asthma, and heart disease. Diabetes among U.S. adults
jumped by 41 percent between 1997 and 2003, with obesity playing
a major role. In Connecticut, more than 3,000 people die each
year from obesity and its complications. In just one year,
obesity-related health problems added $665 million in Medicaid
and Medicare costs in Connecticut. Below are some resources, compiled by
the Connecticut Commission on Children and its partners, for
fighting this epidemic.
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Just
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