The Centers for Disease Control presents the following findings: 

• One in eight (12%) preschoolers is obese.
• About one in five (19%) black children and one in six (16%) Hispanic children between the ages of 2 and 5 are obese.
• Obese children are more likely to be obese later in childhood and adolescence. In these older children and adolescents, obesity is associated with high cholesterol, high blood sugar, asthma, and mental health problems.
• Children who are overweight or obese as preschoolers are five times as likely as normal-weight children to be overweight or obese as adults.

• Obesity rates decreased slightly in 19 of 43 states and territories.
• Obesity rates increased slightly in only 3 of 43 states and territories.
• Obesity rates did not change in 21 of 43 states and territories.

Keeping this trend going is important! One way to help is to get students moving while they are learning. Walkabouts by ActivEd can make a difference in both students' health and their academic success. Sign up for a free trial to get your students moving in the classroom!

 Other ways to help students are represented in this CDC infographic.