Washington, DC Has Nation's Highest Rate of Overweight Kids

Our nation's capital has a new distinction. It's now home to the highest rate of overweight kids in the country.

A new study issued by the Trust for America's Health (TFAH) provides some grim news in the battle against obesity. According to a press release from media contact Laura Segal, the organization's fourth annual F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies Are Failing in America report classifies 22.8 percent children aged 10 to 17 in Washington, DC as overweight. The good news for the District of Columbia is that it ranks much lower, in 40^th position, for adult obesity.

For the third consecutive year, Mississippi had the highest percentage of obese adults in the United States, weighing in at 30.6 percent. F as in Fat, 2007 also noted that of the 15 states with the highest rates, 10 are located in the South. Once again, Colorado was named the leanest state. However, even its rate of obesity increased, from 16.9 to 17.6 percent for adults.

According to TFAH Executive Director Jeff Levi, Ph.D., "Poor nutrition and physical inactivity are robbing America of our health and productivity."

Some other interesting findings from the report:

Some 22 percent of U.S. residents reported they don't partake of any physical activity. The number for the District of Columbia was 22.3 percent.

The District is not one of 17 states requiring meals and snacks served at schools to meet the standards set down by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Washington, DC also is not among the 22 states with nutritional standards for foods dispensed from vending machines, a la carte, or in school bake sales. Nor does it limit when and where these foods may be sold on school property beyond Federal requirements. Twenty-six states do.

Although 16 states screen students for their body mass index (BMI) numbers or fitness status and provide the results to parents or guardians, the District of Columbia does not follow this practice.