Data List for Percentage of Utah Children Who Were Obese by Grade and Sex, 1st, 3rd, and 5th Grades, Utah, 2018

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.

Data Source

Utah Department of Health, Bureau of Health Promotion, Healthy Living Through Environment, Policy and Improved Clinical Care Program Height/Weight Measurement

Definition

Body mass index (BMI) is widely used to determine obesity and overweight because it is inexpensive, reproducible, and convenient. BMI is calculated using the individual's height, weight, age, and sex.^1^ For individuals aged 2 to 20, overweight and obesity is determined by calculating the individual's BMI and comparing it to age and sex standardized growth charts distributed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children and adolescents are considered obese if their BMI is greater than or equal to the 95th percentile for BMI by age and sex based on the 2000 CDC Growth Charts.^2^[[br]] [[br]] ---- 1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ''The Surgeon General's call to action to prevent and decrease overweight and obesity''. [Rockville, MD]: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Services, Office of the Surgeon General; [2001]. Available from: U.S. GPO, Washington.[[br]] 2. Tools for calculating body mass index (BMI). Nutrition & physical activity. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved December 14, 2015, from [https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/bmi/calculator.html]