Health care experts use height and weight to calculate a body mass index (BMI). The BMI represents an easy, inexpensive, and reliable method to assess weight. Excess weight may lead to health problems such as an increased risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, Type 2 
diabetes, arthritis-related disability, and cancer.

The prevalence of obesity among Connecticut children is similar to that of the nation. Nationally, it is estimated that 19.3% of children aged 2-19 years are obese. In Connecticut, the prevalence of obesity among children aged 5-12 years has increased from 2013 to 2019.  The data for this measure are collected from parent responses to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey questions. Due to the small number of responses to the child questions, three (3) years of data are aggregated to improve the precision of the estimate of children who are obese. For example, data shown for 2014 is the aggregated results from 2012 to 2014. In 2011,BRFSS began using a new weighting methodology(raking) and including cell phone only respondents. Thus 2011 data are not comparable todata from 2010 and earlier. 

These data are current as of December 2022.  New data will be available in the Fall of 2023.  The data are updated annually.

The target was developed as part of Healthy Connecticut 2020 and Live Healthy Connecticut, A Coordinated Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Plan.

Potential Partners:
Connecticut Department of Public Health; Connecticut Department of Social Services; Connecticut Department of
Agriculture; Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development; Connecticut Department of
Energy and Environmental Protection; State Department of Education; Connecticut Department of Transportation;
Connecticut Department of Children and Families; State Legislature; local public health agencies; health care
providers including nurses and primary care physicians; health professional associations; food industry; other
businesses and worksite wellness programs; educational providers; other organizations and coalitions focused on
nutrition, dietetics, and physical activity; community service providers; philanthropic and research organizations
that address obesity; schools of public health, allied health, and medicine; and others.

The National Prevention Strategy recommends the following to promote healthy eating and active living:
1. Encourage community design and development that supports physical activity.
2. Promote and strengthen school and early learning policies and programs that increase physical activity.
3. Facilitate access to safe, accessible, and affordable places for physical activity.
4. Support workplace policies and programs that increase physical activity.
5. Assess physical activity levels and provide education, counseling, and referrals.
6. Increasing access to healthy and affordable foods in communities.
7. Implementing organizational and programmatic nutrition standards and policies.
8. Improve the nutritional quality of the food supply.
9. Help people recognize and make healthy food and beverage choices.
10. Support policies and programs that promote breastfeeding.
11. Enhance food safety.

For current year priority strategies and actions, click here.

SHIP Strategies:

Review and revise local/school wellness policy by local Boards of Education annually as part of the Healthy Food Certification process

Increase healthy food options in vending machines by reducing the price of healthy choices and increasing the proportion of healthy choices

Increase availability of water and promote its consumption

Implement age-appropriate policies that support increased physical activity

Advocate for universal screening for overweight and obesity in schools, and for appropriate reimbursement for nutritional counseling, medical follow-up, and weight loss programs

Provide training and technical assistance to teachers on the implementation of early childhood programs’ nutrition standards

Provide age-appropriate health education with pre- and post-testing on topics such as heart disease and healthy living

Label menu items in cafeterias for nutrition content

Educate providers concerning cognitive behavioral therapy and other proven strategies to promote healthy behavioral change

Develop and adapt Electronic Medical Records, and disseminate decision support tools to providers

Identify or develop surveillance system with age-appropriate data collection methodology on diet and physical activity