Childhood Overweight in Chicago

The epidemic of childhood obesity is placing Chicago children at risk.

The 2003 CLOCC Annual Report showed that Chicago’s kindergarten-aged children are overweight at more than twice the national rate. Data released in January 2004 from the Sinai Urban Health Institute indicated that children from predominantly minority neighborhoods in Chicago are overweight at three to four times the national average. In the coming years and decades, the consequences of such high rates of pediatric overweight are likely to be staggering.

This section focuses on four areas:

1. Background: Prevalence of Childhood Overweight in Chicago
   Data released in January 2004 from the Sinai Urban Health Institute indicated that children from predominantly minority neighborhoods in Chicago are overweight at three to four times the national average. This page provides a snapshot of the recent statistics.

2. Local Research
   Research projects conducted in the Chicagoland area.

3. CLOCC-Led Projects
   Projects happening across Chicago communities.

4. Policy and Legislation
   Information on policy initiatives and legislation that impact childhood obesity in Illinois.