Why Is This Important?

Obesity has more than tripled among children and adolescents since the 1970s.^[https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/obesity/index.htm 1]^

Definition

Percent of high school students who were obese (greater than or equal to the 95th percentile for body mass index, by age and sex)

Data Sources

• New Jersey Student Health Survey, Office of Student Support Services, Division of Student Services and Career Readiness, New Jersey Department of Education
  (http://www.nj.gov/education/students/yrbs/)
• Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  (https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/index.htm)

How the Measure is Calculated

How Are We Doing?

Obesity is increasing among high school students of all races/ethnicities. Healthy New Jersey 2020 targets were not met by any group.

How Do We Compare With the U.S.?

The proportion of New Jersey high school students who are obese is consistently lower than that of the nation as a whole.

Available Services

[https://nj.gov/health/nutrition/services-support/]

More Resources

NJDOH Office of Nutrition and Fitness: [http://www.state.nj.us/health/nutrition/] Rutgers Childhood Obesity Study: [http://www.cshp.rutgers.edu/content/childhood-obesity]

Health Program Information

Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) and New Jersey Student Health Survey (NJSHS) BMI data should be used with caution since individual height and weight are self-reported. People tend to underestimate their weight and overestimate their height, resulting in a lower BMI compared to if the individual was actually weighed and measured.

Footnote References

1. CDC Healthy Schools, [https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/obesity/index.htm Obesity], 8/10/22