WIC Program and CSFP
PO Box 64882
St. Paul, MN 55025-0882
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fh/wic/index.html
Obesity and Overweight Status in Minnesota WIC Children
The prevalence of overweight and obesity status in
children and adolescents has increased nationwide in
recent decades, highlighting the need for public health
initiatives focused on prevention of overweight and
obesity.1 Childhood obesity has both immediate and
long lasting effects on the child. Obese children are
more likely to have asthma, joint problems, high
blood pressure, GERD (heartburn), obstructive sleep
apnea, and high cholesterol. Obese or overweight
children are more likely to become overweight adults.
Obesity in adults is associated with many chronic
health conditions including cardiovascular disease,
diabetes and certain cancers.1
Prevalence in Minnesota WIC Children
Children ages two years and older whose BMI-forage (weight/height2) is at the 95th percentile or greater
are “obese” and those whose BMI is at or above the
85th but less than the 95th percentiles are considered
“overweight” or “at risk for obesity.” 1
•
In 2010, approximately 20,000 of the 69,000
Minnesota WIC children ages 2 to 5 years were
either obese or overweight and 9,000 were obese.2
•
Obesity in Minnesota WIC children increased
steadily from 8.5% in 1990 reaching a peak of
13.8% in 2004. In 2010, the rate of obesity was
12.7% indicating a possible decreasing trend.
(Figure 1).
•
Overweight prevalence (not including obesity) in
Minnesota WIC children showed a similar
increasing trend from 14.3% in 1990 to 16.9% in
2004. In 2010, the rate decreased to 16.4%.
(Figure 1).
•
Rates of obesity and overweight were over twice
the expected rates of 5% for obesity and 15% for
overweight and obese combined (Figure 1).
•
In 2010, the Minnesota WIC child obesity rate of
12.7% was above the 2020 Healthy People
objectives for obesity in childhood of 9.6%.3
35%
Figure 1. Obesity, Overweight in MN
WIC Children ages 2-5 years2
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
Obesity
Overweight
Obese or Overweight
Minnesota WIC Promotes Healthy Weight
The WIC Program serves low and moderate-income
pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants, and
children up to age five. WIC serves populations that
are at higher risk for obesity than the general
population.
WIC promotes a healthy weight for both mother and
child through these services:
• An individualized nutrition assessment;
• A customized food package which includes low
fat milk, whole grains, fruits and vegetables;
• Monitoring appropriate weight gain and growth;
• Counseling caregivers on how to help children eat
a healthy diet;
• Encouraging families to be physically active and
to limit screen time for television, computers, and
video games;
• Referrals to community nutrition and physical
activity resources; and
• Promoting exclusive breastfeeding for the first six
months of life and breastfeeding with healthy
foods for the first year of life.
Obesity and Overweight in Minnesota WIC Children, June 2012
Obesity by Race and Ethnicity in Minnesota WIC
Children
NH = Non-Hispanic Multiple races were not measured until 2005. Child race/ethnicity is self-identified by WIC parents.
•
•
Unlike other race/ethnic groups where rates
appeared to be declining slightly, obesity rates in
American Indian children ages two to five years
continued to rise (Figure 2).
•
In 2010, the rate of obesity in American Indian
•
children of 28% was over five times the expected
rate of 5% (Figure 2) and over twice the Minnesota
all race/ethnicity obesity rate of 12.7% (Figure 3).
The rate of obesity in Hispanic children ages two
to five years of 16.8% was over three times the
expected rate of 5% (Figure 2).
In 2010, obesity rates for White Non-Hispanic
(NH) children participating in the WIC program
met the 2020 Healthy People Goal of 9.6%.3
Obesity and Overweight in Minnesota WIC Children, June 2012
•
In 2010, Minnesota had a lower obesity rate (12.7)
for all races/ethnicities compared to the national
rate (14.4). (Figure 3).
•
The Minnesota American Indian obesity rate (28.2)
was 34% higher than the national rate (21.1). The
obesity rate (15.1) in Minnesota Asian children,
many of whom were Hmong, was also 34% higher
than the national rate (11.3). (Figure 3).
Obesity by Age Group
•
Older WIC children had higher rates of obesity
(Figure 4).
•
In 2010, children ages two to three years had over
twice the expected rate of obesity (10.6 compared to
5%) and children ages four to five years had nearly
three times the expected rate of obesity (14.7
compared to 5%) (Figure 4).
•
All age groups demonstrated a slight decreasing
obesity trend from 2004 to 2010 (Figure 4).
•
Obesity in childhood is predictive of obesity in
adulthood. 1
Figure 4. Obesity by Age Group in
Minnesota WIC Children2
20%
15%
10%
References
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Basics about childhood obesity.
http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/basics.html last accessed 5/14/2012.
5%
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
System. State Tables. Statewide data-Summary of demographic and health
indicators, including statewide trend data.
2-3 yrs
3-4 yrs
4-5 yrs
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fh/wic/localagency/infosystem/pednss/201
0statewide.pdf
3. Healthy People 2020. Nutrition and weight status: Objectives.
http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/objectiveslist.aspx?topicId=29 last accessed 5/14/2012.
4. Minnesota WIC Program and CSFP, Children aged 2-5 years participating in MN-WIC who were either overweight or obese, June 2010 [map].
Reference Scale 1: 3,020,296 generated by Deborah L. R. Grundmanis, using Minnesota WIC Reports, June 2010 Weight Status of Women &
Children >2: MNPOO6OR, May 2012. Available at http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fh/wic/statistics/index.html last accessed 5/14/2012.
Obesity and Overweight in Minnesota WIC Children, June 2012
•
In 2010, the prevalence for both obesity and
overweight in Minnesota WIC children ages
two to five years was above the expected rate
of 15% for most of the state.4
•
For most counties at least one out of four
children ages two to five years who
participated in WIC were overweight or obese.4
For more information, contact:
WIC Program
[email protected]
651-201-4413
[email protected]
651-201-3632
Obesity and Overweight in Minnesota WIC Children, June 2012