“It’s pretty incredible that the ‘good news’ here is that almost 1 in 10 American kids under the age of 5 is obese,” says David Katz, MD, director of the Yale University Prevention Research Center. “This evidence of progress is certainly very welcome, but a decline in obesity among under-5-year-olds from 14% to 8% is a very long way from mission accomplished.” Childhood obesity has been linked to a higher risk of cancer, heart disease and stroke later in life. Another widely overlooked part of the report shows a significant increase in obesity among women 60 and older: In 2003, 32% of that group were obese; in 2012 it had increased to 38%. “For a number of years, we have reported that the prevalence of obesity has been stable,” says Brian Kit, MD, a researcher for the CDC and a coauthor on the study. “This study finds the same—that overall, there has been no significant change in obesity between 2003 and 2012.” In all, nearly a fifth of children ages 2 to 19 and more than a third of adults 20 and older are obese, the report finds. Nonetheless, some experts still see reason to celebrate. “You have to start somewhere,” says Rob Danoff, DO, program director of the family and emergency medicine residency program at Aria Health in Philadelphia. “This is a sign that we’re giving young kids good habits early. We know that children who are leaner at an early age stay leaner through teenagerhood and adulthood.” The report was released during a big week for policies aimed at reducing obesity. On Tuesday, Michelle Obama announced new restrictions on the marketing of junk food in schools as part of her Let’s Move! initiative. And on Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration put forth a proposed overhaul of nutrition labels. “It’s at a very young age that you develop cravings for sweets and salty foods,” Dr. Danoff says. “If we give kids healthier ingredients, they won’t have urges for that sugar rush. We’re planting seeds of health; now we have to be patient while they grow.” More from Prevention: Get Sugar Smart
