New report shows New Mexico making progress with childhood obesity

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A report from the New Mexico Department of Health shows progress with childhood obesity in the state.

The report shows obesity rates for third graders has decreased for the fourth straight year. Other key findings from the report show obesity rates for kindergarten students decreased from 18.2% to 17.3% over the past year. The obesity rate for third grade students decreased from 27.5% to 24.1% over the past year. The report also shows obesity rates in boys is 6.5% higher than girls.

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NMDOH’s Obesity, Nutrition and Physical Activity Program works with elementary schools, high schools and nursing programs to collect body mass index measurements of kindergarteners and third graders across the state. Data from about 2,950 students was included in the most recent report. “We collect and analyze obesity data so we can invest our resources in areas that lack infrastructure for safe physical activity and opportunities to buy affordable healthy food,” NMDOH Secretary Gina DeBlassie said in a release.

The view the full report, click here.