New Research Contradicts Report That Said U.S. Children Are Less Obese

All classes of obesity in American children have crept upward over the last 14 years, according to national survey data collected on 26,690 children (ages 2 to 19) between 1999 and 2012.  Applying several definitions of obesity based on height and weight measurements (the body mass index), the researchers found that 17.3 percent of U.S. children ages 2-19 were obese in 2011-2012. At the same time, eight percent met criteria for the two most severe forms of obesity (Class 2 and Class 3). The findings contradict a recent report showing a drop in obesity among young children in the last decade.