Hartford's Preschooler Obesity Rate Alarming

The UConn Center for Public Health and Health Policy (CPHHP) recently reported that 20% of Hartford preschoolers are obese and 17% are overweight. "The prevalence of overweight and obesity was twice as high as [federal] guidelines for age and gender," the report said.

The findings were the result of a study involving 1,120 Hartford preschoolers at 35 randomly selected child-care sites across the city. The results also indicated that:

• Boys were as likely to be overweight as girls;
• Latino children were significantly more likely to be overweight or obese than African-American children; and
• Four- to five-year olds were significantly more likely to be overweight or obese than younger children.

According to the Hartford Courant, Ann Ferris, director of CPHHP, attributes the high obesity rate, at least in part, to poverty. Highly processed foods are less expensive than more nutritious alternatives and children in unsafe neighborhoods are less likely to play outside.

Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra characterized the findings as "extremely alarming."

On a more positive note, Ferris and city officials noted that the Hartford's high preschool enrollment rate (73%) may make a system-wide intervention a plausible option.