SANTA FE – Obesity rates have decreased for third graders for the fourth consecutive year, based on the most recent data from 40 schools in 21 counties.
Despite the decline, New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) officials say obesity remains a complex and serious public health concern in New Mexico and across the nation. Food insecurity, among other factors, can affect childhood obesity rates.
Key findings from the report, issued by NMDOH’s Obesity, Nutrition and Physical Activity Program (ONAPA):
- Obesity rates for kindergarten students decreased this past year, from 18.2 percent to 17.3 percent.
- Obesity rates for third graders also decreased this past year, from 27.5 percent to 24.1 percent.
- Boys’ obesity rates were 6.5 percent higher than girls.
- American Indian students continue to have the highest obesity prevalence at 27.6 percent of students.
To track childhood obesity rates, ONAPA works with elementary schools, nursing programs, and high schools to collect BMI (body mass index) measurements of kindergarteners and third graders across New Mexico every fall. Data remains limited due to voluntary participation. Data from nearly 2,950 students were included in this year’s report.
“We collect and analyze obesity data so we can invest our resources in areas that lack infrastructure for safe physical activity and opportunities to buy affordable healthy food,” said Gina DeBlassie, secretary for NMDOH. “Obesity in children highlights inequities in our community infrastructure and access to resources.”
ONAPA and its Healthy Kids Healthy Communities Program partner with state and local organizations to implement long-term changes to policies, systems, and the local environment to address obesity challenges. Strategies include creating edible school and community gardens, the New Mexico Grown Program, farmers’ markets, walking programs, and safe walking and biking routes.
Read the 2024 New Mexico Childhood Obesity Update here.
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