First lady Michelle Obama trumpeted a government study released Tuesday that found obesity among low-income pre-schoolers declined slightly in 19 out of 43 states and territories studied from 2008 to 2011.
The report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found obesity rates among this population increased in only three states — Colorado, Tennessee and Pennsylvania — and remained unchanged in 21 states.
“Today’s announcement reaffirms my belief that together, we are making a real difference in helping kids across the country get a healthier start to life,” Mrs. Obama said in a news release from the White House.
The study said about one in eight preschoolers are considered obese, and that children are five times more likely to be overweight or obese when they are adults if they suffer from the problem between the ages of 3 and 5.
CDC Director Tom Frieden said obesity remands an epidemic, but “the tide has begun to turn for some kids in some states.”
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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