Where Virginia, DC Childhood Obesity Ranks Among The States

WASHINGTON, DC — A new study of childhood obesity shows Virginia and the District of Columbia both are among the states with lowest rates, according to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

In Virginia, 13 percent of youth ages 10 to 17 have obesity, giving Virginia a ranking of 35 among the 50 states and D.C. See more data for the Commonwealth and District of Columbia below.

According to this year’s State of Childhood Obesity report, about 1 in 7 children nationwide are considered obese — or about 15.5 percent.

“Childhood obesity remains an epidemic in this country,” Jamie Bussel, senior program officer at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, said in a release. “We must confront these current crises in ways that also support long-term health and equity for all children and families in the United States.”

School closures have left millions of children without a regular source of healthy meals or physical activity. In addition, millions of caregivers have lost income or jobs, making it more difficult for families to access or afford healthy foods.

The report also highlights the obesity rates in younger children, high school students and adults.

Here’s a look at how Virginia rates:

• Children ages 2 to 4 (participating in WIC — the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program): 15.3 percent, or 12th out of 50 states and Washington, D.C.
• High school students: 14.8 percent, or 24th out of 50 states and Washington, D.C.
• Adults: 31.9 percent, or 26th out of 50 states and Washington, D.C.
• Adults with diabetes: 10.9 percent, or 21st out of 50 states and Washington, D.C.
• Adults with hypertension: 33.6 percent, or 21st out of 50 states and Washington, D.C.

In Washington, D.C., 12.5 percent of youth ages 10 to 17 have obesity, giving Washington, D.C. a ranking of 37 among the 50 states and D.C.

Here’s a look at how DC rates:

• Children ages 2 to 4 (participating in WIC — the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program): 11.4 percent, or 45th out of 50 states and Washington, D.C.
• Adults: 23.8 percent, or 49th out of 50 states and Washington, D.C.
• Adults with diabetes: 12.8 percent, or 8th out of 50 states and Washington, D.C.
• Adults with hypertension: 36.4 percent, or 8th out of 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Here are a couple findings of note from this year’s report:

• Childhood obesity is more prevalent in children of color: About 11.7 percent of white children are considered obese. Rates are significantly higher for Hispanic (20.7 percent), Black (22.9 percent), American Indian/Alaska Native (28.5 percent), and Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander (39.8 percent) children.

• Income also affects the prevalence of obesity: About 21.5 percent of youths in households making less than the federal poverty level were considered obese, more than double the 8.8 percent of youth in households making at least 400 percent of the federal poverty level.

The five states with the highest obesity rates in children ages 10 to 17 were:

1. Kentucky (23.8 percent)
2. Mississippi (22.3 percent)
3. South Carolina (22.1 percent)
4. Tennessee (20.4 percent)
5. Arkansas (20.2 percent)

The five states with lowest rates included:

1. Utah (9.6 percent)
2. Minnesota (9.9 percent)
3. Kansas (10.6 percent)
4. Montana (10.6 percent)
5. New York (10.7 percent)

See the full State of Childhood Obesity report online.

The focus of this year’s report, according to a release by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is prioritizing childhood health amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In the study, researchers say the pandemic and ongoing economic recession have worsened many of the broader factors that contribute to obesity, including poverty and health disparities.

Emerging research links obesity with increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, including among children. Evidence from other vaccines also has led some experts to predict that a COVID-19 vaccine may be less effective in those with underlying medical conditions such as obesity.

To determine the most recent childhood obesity rates, the foundation used data from the 2018-19 National Survey of Children’s Health, along with information collected through a separate analysis conducted by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau.