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Lorna E. Thorpe, PhD, Deborah G. List, PhD, Terry Marx, MD, Linda May, MA, Steven D. Helgerson, MD and Thomas R. Frieden, MD

Lorna E. Thorpe, Linda May, and Thomas R. Frieden are with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH), New York, NY. At the time of the study, Deborah List was also with the NYC DOHMH. Terry Marx is with the New York City Department of Education, New York, NY. Steven D. Helgerson is an epidemiologic consultant to the NYC DOHMH.

Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to Lorna Thorpe, PhD, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Division of Epidemiology (CN #6), 125 Worth St, New York, NY 10013 (e-mail: lthorpe{at}health.nyc.gov).

Objectives. We estimated overweight and obesity in New York City elementary school children.

Methods. A multistage cluster sample of New York City public elementary school children was selected. Nurses measured children’s height and weight and used a standard protocol to determine body mass index (BMI). Demographic information was obtained from official school rosters. Overweight and obese were defined as BMI-for-age at or above the 85th and 95th percentiles, respectively.

Results. Of 3069 sampled students, 2681 (87%) were measured. The prevalence of overweight was 43% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 39%, 47%), more than half of whom were obese. Overall prevalence of obesity was 24% (95% CI = 21%, 27%), with at least 20% obesity in each grade, including kindergarten. Hispanic children had significantly higher levels (31%; 95% CI = 29%, 34%) than Black (23%; 95% CI = 18%, 28%) or White children (16%; 95% CI = 12%, 20%). Asian children had the lowest level of obesity among all racial/ethnic groups (14.4%, 95% CI = 10.9, 18.7).

Conclusions. Obesity among public elementary school children in New York City is an important public health issue. Particularly high levels among Hispanic and Black children mirror national trends and are insufficiently understood.

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