Obesity declines for 2 to 4 year olds in federal nutrition program

Between 2010 and 2014, obesity rates improved for low-income children enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, falling from 15.9% to 14.5% among 2 to 4 year olds, according to new data the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Department of Agriculture. The decline reverses a trend that saw the percentage of obesity among 2 to 4 year olds rise nearly 2% between 2000 and 2010. “We are beginning to see some progress reducing childhood obesity in some areas, but more progress is needed,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D. “Only by accelerating and sustaining this trend can we reverse the epidemic of childhood obesity.”