During the last three decades, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the United States has increased dramatically in both adults and children. In the 1970s, about 15 percent of adults were obese; by 2004, the rate had climbed to 32 percent. Although the prevalence of obesity among children is lower than among adults, the rates among children and adolescents have increased considerably more. Between the early 1970s and 2003-2004, the prevalence of obesity nearly tripled among youth ages 12 to 19, from 6 percent to 17 percent, and more than quadrupled among children ages 6 to 11, rising from 4 percent to 19 percent. Recent data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey indicated that, between 2003-2004 and 2007-2008, there has been no significant change in the prevalence of obesity among children, suggesting that the prevalence of childhood obesity could be leveling off nationally. Nevertheless, rates remain high, with approximately 36 percent of 6- to 11-year-olds and 34 percent of 12- to 19-year-olds considered to be overweight or obese. Among these youth, 20 percent of 6- to 11-year-olds and 18 percent of 12- to19-year-olds are considered to be obese.5
Although the prevalence of obesity is high among all children regardless of race/ethnicity, children of color are disproportionately affected. Hispanic, African American, and American Indian girls and boys have higher rates of obesity than white children. Currently, African American girls and Mexican American boys in the United States have the highest rates of childhood obesity. Recent research suggests that these disparities are mirrored in California, with higher rates of obesity and overweight among Latinos, African Americans, and American Indians than among whites and Asians.
The California Center for Public Health Advocacy and the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research examined rates of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in California.
Findings
More Than One-Third of Children in California Are Overweight or Obese
In California, more than one-third (38 percent) of fifth-, seventh-, and ninth-graders were overweight or obese in 2010. The prevalence of overweight and obesity among school-age children decreased slightly between 2005 and 2010, suggesting that California may be experiencing a leveling off in childhood obesity rates similar to that seen nationally. Nonetheless, rates remain high.
Overweight and Obesity Vary from Place to Place in California
The prevalence of overweight and obesity among fifth, seventh-, and ninth-grade children in 2010 varied widely from county to county. Of the 58 counties in California, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was greater than 43 percent in ten counties. Among those, the highest rates were in Del Norte (45 percent), Colusa (46 percent), and Imperial (47 percent) counties. Only nine counties in California had rates of overweight and obesity below 30 percent. The lowest rates among children in grades five, seven, and nine were in Placer (26 percent), El Dorado (26 percent), and Marin (25 percent) counties.
Thirty-one of California’s 58 counties experienced an increase in the rates of overweight and obesity between 2005 and 2010. Among these counties, five had rates at least 10 percent higher in 2010 than in 2005: Yuba, Mariposa, Amador, Colusa, and Del Norte counties. Twenty-six counties experienced a decrease in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children in grades five, seven, and nine. Among these counties, seven had rates at least 5 percent lower in 2010 than in 2005: Placer, San Benito, San Mateo, Sutter, Plumas, Sierra, and Trinity counties.
This regional variation is likely due to a number of factors, including differences in demographic, social, economic, and environmental characteristics as well as differences in local policies and programs. For example, the food environment in California varies greatly from place to place—with some counties having limited availability of stores offering fresh fruits and vegetables compared to the availability of fast foods and convenience stores. Living in an unhealthy food environment has been linked to unhealthy eating behaviors, such as greater consumption of fast food and soda, and to a higher prevalence of obesity and diabetes. Similarly, resources and opportunities that encourage physical activity, such as parks and physical education programs, also vary by location. Increased access to parks and recreational resources can help protect against obesity in children.31
Source: UCLA Center for Health Policy Research and California Center for Public Health Advocacy, “A Patchwork of Progress: Changes in Overweight and Obesity Among California 5th, 7th, and 9th Graders, 2005-2010,”