Office of the Surgeon General

"Overweight children have a higher risk of being overweight and obese as adults, and face the possibility of serious and chronic health problems."

- Secretary Leavitt

Childhood Obesity Prevention

Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future

The Childhood Overweight and Obesity Prevention Initiative, Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future, was launched in November 2007 to target overweight and obesity prevention and promote healthy lifestyles for children.

Today, more than 12.5 million children -- 17.1% of children and adolescents 2 to 19 years of age -- are overweight in the U.S., up from 13 % in 1999. Overweight children are at far greater risk for numerous health consequences, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic diseases. The most immediate consequence of overweight as perceived by the children themselves is social discrimination sometimes resulting in poor self-esteem and depression.

People should talk with a health care provider to help determine if a child may be at risk for being overweight or obese. Possible causes for concern include:

• A Body Mass Index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex
• A sedentary lifestyle with little or no exercise
• Unhealthy eating habits
• High cholesterol levels
• High blood pressure

Surgeon General, Rear Admiral Steven K. Galson M.D., M.P.H. established a Childhood Overweight and Obesity Prevention Council made of experts from HHS to find, promote and implement programs that prevent childhood overweight and obesity. The Surgeon General is also recognizing communities throughout the nation that are addressing childhood overweight and obesity prevention to help kids stay active, encourage healthy eating habits, and promote healthy choices. The goal is to highlight these best practices so that communities across the country will follow their example—creating healthy youth for a healthy future.

For more information on the initiative, get the Fact Sheet.

Last revised: March 11, 2008