Know the Facts:

Obesity and Nutrition Statistics

•    More than 23.5 million children and teens in the United States are overweight or obese

Source: Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, Lamb MM and Flegal KM. “Prevalence of High Body Mass Index in US Children and Adolescents, 2007–2008.” Journal of the American Medical Association, 303(3): 242–249, 2010. AND Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2006. U.S. Census Bureau, 2005. www.census.gov/prod/2005pubs/06statab/pop.pdf

•   Up to 50% of children’s daily calories are eaten at school

Source: Gleason P, Suitor C. Food for thought: children’s diets in the 1990s. Princeton, NJ: Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.; 2001. AND Briefel RR, Wilson A, Gleason PM. “Consumption of low-nutrient, energy-dense foods and beverages at school, home, and other locations among school lunch participants and nonparticipants.” J Am Diet Assoc 2009;109:Suppl-90.

•    Up to 50% of children’s waking hours are spent in school

Source: Naylor PJ, McKay HA. Prevention in the first place: schools a setting for action on physical inactivity. Br J Sports Med 2009;43(1):10.

•    34 tsp of sugar are consumed by American teens every day

Source: Johnson RK, Appel LJ, Brands M, Howard BV, Lefevre M, Lustig RH, et al. Dietary Sugars Intake and Cardiovascular Health: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2009;120:1011-1020.

•    95% of US high school students have access to food or beverage vending machines at school

Source: Johnston LD, O’Malley PM, Terry-McElrath YM, Freedman-Doan P, Brenner, JS. (2011). School policies and practices to improve health and prevent obesity: National secondary school survey results, school years 2006–07 and 2007 –08. Volume 1. Ann Arbor, MI: Bridging the Gap Program, Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research. www.bridgingthegapresearch.org/research/secondary_school_survey

•    The average 20-oz sports drink contains 34g of sugar

Source: www.gatorade.com; http://productnutrition.thecoca-colacompany.com

•   15% of elementary-age children eat the recommended 5 or more servings of fruits & vegetables per day

Source: National Center for Health Statistics, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III. Washington, D.C.: 1994.

•    30% of children’s daily calories come from snacks

Source: Piernas C, Popkin BM. Trends in Snacking Among U.S. Children. Health Affairs 2010; 29(3): 398-404.