Obesity

Childhood Obesity Rates in TN

  
 
 
 

Tennessee has the 6th highest rate of childhood obesity in the United States. 20.6% of children in the state are considered obese, according to Trust for America’s Health report F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America’s Future 2010.

In addition, a 2007 survey found that 36.5% of youth in Tennessee are either overweight or obese. (2007 National Survey of Children's Health, www.nschdata.org.)

During the last few school years, Tennessee’s Coordinated School Health staff collected thousands of Tennessee students’ BMI measurements.  The data was analyzed to ensure it was representative of the overall student population in the state. The data indicates 21.9% of Tennessee students are considered obese.

For the 2007-2008 school year, 40.9% of youth were classified as overweight or obese. In some Tennessee counties, that rate is as high as 52%. However, In 2008-2009 school year, the rate dropped to 39% of students. This drop represents over 8000 more students are at a healthy weight compared to the previous year. 

Other research finds that younger and younger children are becoming obese. Among pre-school age children 2-5 years of age, obesity increased from 5% in 1976-1980 to 10.4% in 2007-2008. Among 6-11 year olds, the rates increased from 6.5% in 1976-1980 to 19.6% in 2007-2008.  (Source: Centers for Disease Control).

Tennessee children are following in the footsteps of their parents. Tennessee has consistently ranked among the states with the highest obesity rates. According to Trust for America’s Health report F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America’s Future 2010:

  • TN ranks #2 in the highest adult obesity rate in the U.S. (31.6%)

  • TN ranks # 1 in the highest adult obesity rates among Latinos. (39.5%)

  • TN ranks #6 in the highest adult obesity rates among African Americans. (41.1%)

Over the last 30 years, adult obesity rates across the nation have reached epidemic proportions. However, Southern states lead the rest of the U.S. In 2004, no state had an obesity rate greater than 30%.
Now, eight do. Of the 11 states with the highest rates, 10 were in the Southeast.
 

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