With all those dire warnings and caution messages about rising levels in the obesity rates in the U.S., a few recent studies have claimed that obesity rates may finally be leveling off. According to a new study, obesity rates in a few groups of Californian children are declining. These leveling off is seen in only few groups such as racial and ethnic groups. Read on to know more about the leveling off in childhood obesity rates among few groups in California.
About the Study
This study was published in the medical journal, Pediatrics. This study pondered over the rates of body mass index in nearly 8.3 million school children in California from the years of 2001-2008. the scientists found that the school children belonging from California public school were 38% overweight, 19.8 % obese and around 3.8% were found to be severely obese. This was observed in the year of 2008.
But in the year of 2005, there was a gradual decline in the obesity rates among Asian children (to 13%) and white children (to 12%). the obesity rates in the American Indian and black boys varied. Their rates leveled off for the Latino children coming to nearly 26%. Still, the obesity rates increased gradually to 23% among American Indian girls and 22% among black girls. This was followed from the year 2001 to 2008.
When compared to white girls, American Indian, Latina and Black girls had nearly 2-3 times the chances of acquiring a high body mass index.
The Research Findings
The findings of the study now call for some concrete action for interventions and policies that are designed specifically for implementing in high-risk populations. Different school programs have revealed a significant improvement in the weight status among Latino and black youth.
Although, more serious interventions are required to help those other obese children who are at maximum risk for several other weight-related complications.
