The percentage of third graders in the Gem State who are overweight or obese is increasing.
A recent study of the body mass indexes of just over 2,100 Idaho third graders by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare shows the percentage of obese students increased to 14.6 percent compared to 12.8 percent in 2008.
Sixty-nine percent of students were at a healthy weight this year, 15 percent were considered overweight, and two percent underweight.
Of the students in the Eastern Idaho Public Health District, 13 percent were considered obese.
That number rises to 17.9 percent when you consider the Southeastern Idaho Public Health region.
Estimates show there are roughly 12.5 million obese children between ages 2-19 nationwide.
For a district by district report you can visit this
website.
