New Facts About Childhood Obesity in Kansas

Here are some new facts about the childhood obesity epidemic in Kansas.  These statistics are taken from analysis of the 2003 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH).  More statistics from the survey are available at the NSCH site, where other states' information is located as well.

Some Key Points:

Approximately 94,000 of 313,000 Kansas children ages 10-17 years (30%) are considered overweight or obese according to BMI-for-age standards.

The prevalence of overweight and obesity in Kansas among children in poor families is more than double the rate for higher-income families (45.1% to 20.6%)

The overweight/obese prevalence for Hispanic children in Kansas is roughtly one third higher than the prevalene among non-Hispanic children.  The state's Hispanic origin disparity ration of 1.29 is the sixth best in the country.

Kansas children are more likely than their counterparts nationwide to be physically active for at least 4 days per week, and less likely to spend 2 hours or more in front of a television or computer screen.

According to the 2006 Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System (PedNSS), which assesses weight status of children from low-income families participating in WIC, 30.8% of low-income children ages 2 to 5 years in Kansas are overweight or obese.

State Rank for overweith or obese children (1 is best), Kansas ranks 27


What is Kansas Doing About Obesity?


Does Kansas have a snack and/or soda tax?  NO, although 17 other states and D.C. do.

Does Kansas have a CDC state-based nutrition and physical activity program? NO, although 28 other states do.

Is Kansas a federal STEPS (Steps to a Healthier US) recipient? NO, although 7 other states are.


Obesity-Related School Standards in Kansas


Does Kansas have a physical education requirement in schools?  YES, along with the 49 states and Washington D.C.

Does Kansas have a health education requirement in schools? YES, along with 48 other states and Washington D.C.

Does Kansas have nutritional standards for school meals and snacks that go beyond existing USDA requirements?  NO, although 17 other states do.

Does Kansas have nutritional standards for competititve food products sold a la carte, in vending machines, school stores or bake sales?  NO, although 22 other states do.

Does Kansas have a limitation (beyond federal requirements) on when and where competitive food products may be sold?  NO, although 26 other states do.

Does Kansas collect BMI or other health information? YES, as well as 16 other states.