The as yet unabated epidemic of childhood obesity throughout the United States has led policymakers to rank it as a critical public health threat for the 21st century (Institute of Medicine Committee on Prevention of Obesity in Children and Youth, 2005; Koplan & Dietz, 1999; US Department of Health and Human Services, 2001). Using data from the 2003 National Survey of Children's Health, the objectives of this comprehensive study were to:

• Describe the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity at the national and state levels.
• Present the variations in childhood overweight and obesity by urban/rural residence, socioeconomic indicators (measured by family poverty status and parental education), and race/ethnicity characteristics.
• Document the presence of modifiable risk factors for childhood obesity by urban/rural residence, socioeconomic indicators, and race/ethnicity at both the national and state levels.

Publications

• Overweight and Physical Inactivity Among Rural Children Aged 10-17: A National and State Portrait
  Rural and Minority Health Research Center
  Date: 05/2007
  This report examines the issues of obesity and being overweight among children in rural and urban settings using the data from the 2003 National Survey of Children's Health.
• Overweight and Physical Inactivity Among Rural Children Aged 10-17: A National and State Portrait (Fact Sheet)
  Fact Sheet
  Rural and Minority Health Research Center
  Date: 2007
  This fact sheet offers a brief overview on the issues of obesity and being overweight, physical activity, and weight-related behaviors among rural and urban children.