Researchers say childhood obesity rates across the nation have continued to hold steady. MPB's Paul Boger examines the numbers in Mississippi.
Research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association -- or JAMA -- says childhood obesity rates have remained flat over the past 15 years, while cases of severe obesity in children have grown. The findings contradict a recent report released by the Centers for Disease Control that said the number of obese children had dropped by 43-percent since 2003.
Sandra Shelson with the Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi, believes the state has seen a change.
"We know that in our schools there has been a decline at the elementary level, because of the nutritional standards that have been changed, and the requirements of 150 minutes of physical activity per week. There has been an impact.." said Shelson.
According to the JAMA researchers, the CDC's report relied on flawed data. They say 2003 saw uniquely high rates of childhood obesity especially when compared to obesity rates from the 90's.
