Obesity in K-8 Students--New York City, 2006-07 to 2010-11 School Years.

The article discusses the prevalence of obesity in children in kindergarten through eighth grade (K-8) in New York City from 2006-2007 to 2010-2011 academic years based on an analysis conducted by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The analysis found a 5.5% reduction in child obesity in 2006-2007 and 20.7% in 2010-2011. Body mass index (BMI) data for public schoolchildren in K-8 was used in the analysis. White and Asian/Pacific Islander children aged 5-6 years showed greater decrease in obesity prevalence compared with Hispanic and African American children. Some factors that possibly contributed to the overall decrease in prevalence include regulations that require improved nutrition and increased physical activity among children. INSET: What is already known on this topic?.