CT Obesity Rates Continue To Rise

30% Of CT Kids Ages 10 to 17 Are Obese Or Overweight.

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Bad news for CT adults. Currently, more than one-in-four CT adults are considered obese, up from 16% in 2000, and from 10% in 1990. Among 10-17-year-olds, more than 30% are considered either obese or overweight. There is some good news, however. Childhood obesity has declined among 2-to 4-year-olds enrolled in WIC from 2010 to 2014, dropping from 17% to 15%.

What drives this problem? Sugary drinks have been identified as the primary source of added sugars in American’s diets, and their increased consumption has been associated with rising obesity rates and increased risk for chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, tooth decay and certain cancers.

It is important that we all do what we can to make the healthy beverage choice, the easy choice. We at the American Heart Association are working to do just that by proposing that only healthy beverages are offered on kid’s restaurant menus and that sugary drinks are taxed. If you would like to get involved contact Jim Williams, CT Government Relations Director, at [email protected].

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