The National Survey of Children’s Health

Overweight

and Physical 

Activity 

Among Children: 

A Portrait 

of States and

the Nation

2005

The National Survey of Children’s Health

Overweight

and Physical 

Activity 

Among Children: 

A Portrait 

of States and 

the Nation

2005

Suggested citation: 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Health Resources and Services Administration, 

Maternal and Child Health Bureau. 

The National Survey of Children’s Health 2003. 

Rockville, Maryland: U.S. Department

of Health and Human Services, 2005.

Individual copies of this report are available 

at no cost from the HRSA Information Center, 

P.O. Box 2910, Merrifield, VA 22116; 

1-888-ASK-HRSA; or ask@hrsa.gov.

The publication is also available online at 

www.mchb.hrsa.gov and www.cdc.gov/nchs/slaits.htm

Technical Appendix 47

Endnotes 48

3

The National Survey of Children’s Health

A Portrait of the Nation 9

Prevalence of Overweight 

in Children 10

Children’s Physical Activity 12

Physical Activity in the Family 17

Physical Activity 

and the Neighborhood 18

Table of Contents

Introduction 5

Pennsylvania 39

Rhode Island 39

South Carolina 40

South Dakota 40

Tennessee 41

Texas 41

Utah 42

Vermont 42

Virginia 43

Washington 43

West Virginia 44

Wisconsin 44

Wyoming 45

State Data 19

Alabama 20

Alaska 20

Arizona 21

Arkansas 21

California 22

Colorado 22

Connecticut 23

Delaware 23

District of Columbia 24

Florida 24

Georgia 25

Hawaii 25

Idaho 26

Illinois 26

Indiana 27

Iowa 27

Kansas 28

Kentucky 28

Louisiana 29

Maine 29

Maryland 30

Massachusetts 30

Michigan 31

Minnesota 31

Mississippi 32

Missouri 32

Montana 33

Nebraska 33

Nevada 34

New Hampshire 34

New Jersey 35

New Mexico 35

New York 36

North Carolina 36

North Dakota 37

Ohio 37

Oklahoma 38

Oregon 38
The National Survey of Children’s Health

Introduction

4

Dear Colleagues:

The Health Resources and Services Administration is pleased to present this chartbook 

highlighting the major findings of the National Survey of Children’s Health on overweight 

and physical activity among children. This survey, the first of its kind, presents nationaland state-level information on the health and well-being of children, their families and 

neighborhood environments, and their use of health services.

The survey includes many positive findings about weight and physical activity among 

children aged 10 to 17 years. According to calculations based on parent-reported height 

and weight, 85 percent of children are not considered overweight. The National Survey 

of Children’s Health also found that most are physically active on three or more days per 

week, and over half participate in sports teams or take sports lessons. 

Despite these positive findings, 15 percent of children were found to be overweight and 

almost 30 percent do not exercise on three or more days per week. The survey also found 

that children in certain populations are more likely to be overweight or not physically active. 

For instance, Black and Hispanic children are more likely to be overweight and are less likely 

to be physically active than children of other racial and ethnic groups. Considering the 

established importance of healthy weight and physical activity and the link between the two, 

the results of this survey have important implications for the future health of today’s children 

and the policies that affect them.

We at HRSA hope that these findings provide useful information and are helpful in your 

efforts to promote healthy weight and physical activity among America’s youth.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth M. Duke

Administrator

Health Resources and Services

Administration

Rockville MD 20857

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Introduction

The National Survey of Children’s

Health (NSCH) was designed to 

measure the health and well-being 

of children from birth to age 17 in

the United States while taking into

account the environment in which

they grow and develop. Conducted 

for the first time in 2003, the survey

collected information from parents

about their children’s health, including oral, physical and mental health,

health care utilization and insurance

status, and social well-being. Aspects

of the child’s environment that were

assessed in the survey include family

structure, poverty level, parental

health and habits, and community

surroundings. The survey was supported and developed by the U.S.

Department of Health and Human

Services, Health Resources and

Services Administration, Maternal 

and Child Health Bureau and was 

conducted by the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention, National

Center for Health Statistics.

Two important aspects of children’s

health measured in the survey were

overweight, which is calculated from

the parent-reported height and

weight, and physical activity. Healthy

body weight and regular physical

activity are critically important to

overall health and well-being both

during childhood and later in life.

Risk factors for heart disease, such 

as high cholesterol and high blood

pressure, occur more frequently

among overweight children than

those with a healthier weight.

Overweight is also closely linked 

to type-2 diabetes and can have 

emotional effects such as poor selfesteem and depression. Furthermore,

it is estimated that overweight adolescents have a 70 percent chance 

of going on to become overweight or

obese adults; this rate is even higher

among children with overweight 

or obese parents.1 Overweight and

obesity and their associated health

problems create direct and indirect

costs that have significant economic

impact on the health care system 

of the United States.2 For more information on weight categories for 

children and on how to determine

your child’s weight category, please

see page 7.

Overweight and physical activity

are inextricably linked. Overweight 

is caused by an energy imbalance of

more calories consumed than used,

and physical activity plays a key role

in maintaining an appropriate energy

balance because it helps burn calories

that are consumed in excess. Physical

activity does more than regulate

weight; it also reduces the risk for

certain cancers, diabetes, and high

blood pressure and contributes to

healthy bones and muscles.3 Therefore,

the International Consensus conference

on Physical Activity recommends that

adolescents (aged 11 to 21) be physically active every day in the course 

of their daily activities and that 

they engage in moderate to vigorous

physical activity 3 or more times 

per week.4

The NSCH measures overweight 

in children through parent-reported

height and weight and measures

physical activity through parent

reports of exercise. Overweight means

that the child’s Body Mass Index

(BMI), calculated from the parentreported height and weight, is at or

above the 95th percentile for sex and

age.5 BMI classifications for children

are different than BMI classifications

for adults; the term “obese” should

generally not apply to children less

than two years of age. When a child

is considered to be overweight, this

means that at least 95 percent 

of other children of the same sex 

and age have lower BMIs, according 

to nationally representative data on

height and weight that were measured by health professionals in other

research studies. It should be noted

that some parents may not be able 

to accurately report their children’s

height or weight, leading to inaccurate BMI calculations. For example, 

if a parent underestimates a child’s

height or overestimates a child’s

weight, the resulting BMI would be

too high. Although the NSCH collected data on children from birth to age

17, overweight and physical activity

are only reported here among children

ages 10 to 17 because parent-reported

height and weight are more reliable

for this age group than they are for

younger children. For more information on how to calculate BMI, please

see page 7.

Overall, the NSCH found that 

14.8 percent of 10- to 17-year-olds

are considered overweight using 

parent-reported height and weight.

Males are more likely than females 

to be overweight (18.1 percent versus

11.5 percent). Also, the occurrence 

of overweight declines with age: 

21.9 percent of 10- to 11-year-olds

are overweight compared to 10.7 

percent of 15- to 17-year-olds. 

Overweight varies by a number 

of other factors, including race and

ethnicity, family income, and family

structure. Black children have the

highest rate of overweight, followed

by Hispanic children; White children

have the lowest overweight rate. As

family income rises, the rate of overweight falls: 22.4 percent of children

with family incomes below 100 percent

of the Federal poverty level (FPL) 

Introduction

5

The National Survey of Children’s Health
The National Survey of Children’s Health

Introduction

6

are overweight, compared to 9.1 

percent of children with family

incomes of 400 percent of FPL and

above. Children living with two 

parents, either biological or adoptive,

are least likely to be overweight 

while children living with a single

mother are most likely.

Results of the NSCH confirm 

that levels of physical activity and

sports participation appear to be

linked to overweight in children.

Among children who are physically

active on 3 or more days, 13.8 percent are overweight; this is compared

to 17.1 percent of children who are

active on fewer than 3 days per week.

In this case, physical activity is

defined as activity that lasts at least

20 minutes and causes sweating and

hard breathing. Similarly, 12.6 

percent of children who participate 

in sports are overweight, compared 

to 18.1 percent of children who do

not participate. Parental exercise also

appears to be related to overweight.

Almost three-quarters of 10- to 17-

year-olds have at least one parent who

exercises regularly. Of children with

at least one parent who exercises,

13.6 percent are overweight; this is

compared to 17.0 percent of children

who do not have a parent who exercises regularly.

According to parent reports of

exercise, almost three-quarters of 10-

to 17-year-olds are physically active 

3 or more days per week. Males are

more likely to be physically active on

3 or more days per week than females.

However, regular physical activity

decreases with age among both males

and females. The proportion of children

who exercise regularly also increases

with family income: 65.6 percent of

children with family incomes below

100 percent of FPL are active 3 or more

days per week, compared to 75.0 percent of children with family incomes

400 percent of FPL and above. Black

and Hispanic children are least likely

to be physically active on 3 or more

days a week, while children of “other”

racial and ethnic origins (including

Asian/Pacific Islander and American

Indian/Alaska Native children) were

most likely to exercise regularly.

Over half (58.6 percent) of 10- 

to 17-year olds participate in sports

teams, including teams run by school

or community groups, or take sports

lessons, which can be a source of

physical activity. Trends toward participation on sports teams are similar

to those regarding physical activity 

as mentioned above, with males more

likely to participate than females,

and younger children more likely 

to participate than older children.

Children who attend private school

are most likely to participate on

sports teams or take lessons (74.2

percent), followed by those in public

school (57.5 percent); children who

are home-schooled are least likely to

participate in sports (45.0 percent).

Regular physical activity and 

participation in sports are associated

with neighborhood safety. Children

who live in a neighborhood that is

described by the parent as usually 

or always safe have higher rates of

regular physical activity than those

children who live in neighborhoods

not considered safe by the parent

(72.8 percent versus 63.8 percent).

Participation in sports teams or 

lessons show the same association

with neighborhood safety: 60.9 

percent of children who live in a safe

neighborhood participate in sports

compared to 47.2 percent of children

who live in a neighborhood that is

not considered safe.

Despite the recognized importance

of a healthy weight and regular physical activity, this survey shows that

some children are more likely than

others to get regular exercise and

maintain a healthy weight. The survey

also demonstrates the importance of

parents participating in regular physical

activity to demonstrate healthy habits

for their children. It is hoped that

these findings can help policymakers,

State and local health officials, other

health professionals, and families

continue to support those children

who are already demonstrating

healthy habits, and to encourage

those children who are at risk to 

further their physical activity, make

healthy food choices, and achieve 

a healthy weight. 

The Technical Appendix of this

chartbook presents important information about the survey sample 

and methodology. For more detailed

analyses of the survey results, the

Data Resource Center on Child and

Adolescent Health (DRC) Web site 

provides online access to the survey

data. The interactive data query 

feature allows users to create their

own customized tables and to compare

survey results at the National and

State level, and by relevant subgroups

such as age, race and ethnicity, and

family income. Sponsored by the

Health Resources and Services

Administration’s Maternal and Child

Health Bureau, the Web site for the

DRC is: www.nschdata.org

More complex analyses of the data

can be conducted using the public

use data set available from the

National Center for Health Statistics at:

www.cdc.gov/nchs/about/major/slaits

/nsch.htm
Introduction

7

The National Survey of Children’s Health

Calculating Body Mass Index

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number that shows body weight adjusted for height and can be 

calculated using the following formulas:

English Formula Weight in pounds ÷ Height in inches ÷ Height in inches x 703 = BMI

Metric Formula Weight in kilograms ÷ Height in meters ÷ Height in meters = BMI

BMI for children, also referred to as BMI-for-age, is gender and age specific. BMI-for-age is plotted 

on gender-specific growth charts, available from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics 

at www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/, which contain a series of percentile curves. The table below shows

weight categories for children based on their BMI-for-age percentile.

Weight Categories for Children

Underweight BMI-for-age < 5th percentile 

Normal BMI-for-age 5th percentile to < 85th percentile

At risk of overweight BMI-for-age 85th percentile to < 95th percentile 

Overweight BMI-for-age >– 95th percentile

Determine Your Child’s Weight Category

1. Calculate your child’s BMI using one of the formulas shown above. BMI can also be determined 

by looking it up on the CDC Table for Calculated Body Mass Index Values for Selected Heights 

and Weights for Ages 2 to 20 in which BMI has been calculated.

2. Plot your child’s BMI on the BMI-for-age chart to determine his or her percentile-range.

Boys (Ages 2 to 20) www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhanes/growthcharts/set2/chart%2015.pdf

Girls (Ages 2 to 20) www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhanes/growthcharts/set1/chart16.pdf

3. Use the table shown above to determine the weight category.

More information on BMI is available through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

Web site: www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/index.htm

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of the Nation

9

The National Survey of Children’s Health
Prevalence 

of Overweight 

in Children

For the survey parents were asked 

to give the height and weight of 

their children; these were used to 

calculate the child’s Body Mass Index

(BMI). Those children whose BMIs 

were at or above the 95th percentile

for their age were considered to be

overweight. Overall, 14.8 percent 

of children aged 10 to 17 years are

classified as overweight.

The proportion of children who

are overweight varies by a number 

of factors, including sex. Based 

on parent-reported height and weight,

18.1 percent of males are overweight,

compared to 11.5 percent of females. 

Prevalence of overweight appears 

to decrease as age increases: children

aged 10 to 11 years are most likely 

to be overweight (21.9 percent), 

followed by those aged 12 to 14 

years (14.4 percent); children aged 

15 to 17 years are least likely to 

be overweight (10.7 percent). 

The prevalence of overweight

among children also varies by race

and ethnicity. Black children are

most likely to be overweight (23.5

percent) according to parent-reported

height and weight, followed by

Hispanic children (18.9 percent);

White children are least likely to be

overweight (12.0 percent). Multiracial

children and children of other races

have rates of overweight that are

approximately equal (15.3 and 15.2

percent, respectively).

The National Survey of Children’s Health

Overweight and Physical Activity > Prevalence of Overweight in Children

10

0

5

10

15

20

25

Male Female

Percent of Children Who Are

Overweight, by Sex

Percent of Children

11.5

18.1

0

5

10

15

20

25

10-11 Years 12-14 Years 15-17 Years

Percent of Children Who Are 

Overweight, by Age

Percent of Children

10.7

14.4

21.9

5.3

0

5

10

15

20

25

White Black Hispanic Multiracial Other*

Percent of Children Who Are 

Overweight, by Race and Ethnicity

Percent of Children

18.9

23.5

12.0

*Includes Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian/

Alaska Native children.

15.3 15.2

Prevalence of Overweight 

in Children Aged 10 to 17 Years 

Not Overweight

85.2%

Overweight

14.8%
The prevalence of overweight

decreases as family income rises. Of

children with family incomes below

100 percent of the Federal poverty

level (FPL), almost one-quarter (22.4

percent) are overweight, compared to

19.0 percent of children with family

incomes between 100 and 199 percent

of FPL, 13.7 percent of children with

family incomes between 200 and 399

percent of FPL, and 9.1 percent of

children with family incomes of 400

percent of FPL or more.

Overweight among children also

appears to be related to family structure. Children with two parents—

either biological or adoptive—are

least likely to be overweight (12.2

percent). Among children in twoparent families with at least one 

step-parent, 15.2 percent are overweight, while the same is true of 

18.9 percent of children with a single

mother and no father present and

18.1 percent of children with other

family structures.

Overweight and Physical Activity > Prevalence of Overweight in Children

11

0

5

10

15

20

25

Single Other

Mother,

No Father

Present

2-Parent

Stepfamily

2 Parents,

Biological

or Adoptive

Percent of Children Who Are

Overweight, by Family Structure

Percent of Children

18.1 18.9

15.2

12.2

0

5

10

15

20

25

400%

or More FPL

200-399%

FPL

100-199%

FPL

<100%

FPL*

Percent of Children Who Are

Overweight, by Family Income

Percent of Children

9.1

13.7

19.0

22.4

*Federal Poverty Level, equal to $18,400 for a family of four in 2003.

The National Survey of Children’s Health

cont’d
Children’s 

Physical 

Activity

Parents were asked to report how

many days in the week before the

survey their children participated 

in physical activity that lasted at

least 20 minutes and caused sweating

and hard breathing. Overall, 71.3 

percent of 10- to 17-year-olds were

reported to exercise 3 or more days

per week. Males in this age group 

are more likely to exercise than their

female counterparts (76.8 versus

65.6 percent). 

Physical activity decreases with

increased age: 78.2 percent of 10- 

to 11-year-olds were reported by 

parents to exercise 3 or more days 

per week, compared with 74.2 

percent of 12- to 14-year-olds and

63.3 percent of 15- to -17-year-olds.

The National Survey of Children’s Health

Overweight and Physical Activity > Children’s Physical Activity

12

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Male Female

Percent of Children Who Participate

in Physical Activity on 3 or More Days

per Week, by Sex

Percent of Children

65.6

76.8

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

10-11 Years 12-14 Years 15-17 Years

Percent of Children Who Participate

in Physical Activity on 3 or More Days

per Week, by Age

Percent of Children

63.3

74.2

78.2

Physical Activity* Among Children

Aged 10 to 17 Years

Less than 3 Days per Week

28.7%

3 or More Days per Week

71.3%

*Activity that lasted at least 20 minutes and caused sweating

and hard breathing.
Participation in physical activity

on 3 or more days per week increases

with family income. Children with

family incomes below the Federal

poverty level (FPL) are least likely 

to exercise regularly (65.6 percent)

according to parent reporting, 

compared to 70.2 percent of children

with family incomes between 100 

and 199 percent of FPL, 72.3 percent

of children with family incomes

between 200 and 399 percent of 

FPL, and 75.0 percent of children 

with family incomes of 400 percent 

of FPL or more.

Race and ethnicity also appear 

to be related to participation in 

physical activity among 10- to 17-

year-olds. White and multiracial 

children had approximately equal

rates of regular physical activity 

(73.5 and 73.8 percent, respectively)

according to parent reporting.

Hispanic children were least likely 

to exercise 3 or more days per week

(62.9 percent), followed by Black 

children (69.1 percent); children 

of other racial and ethnic origins 

were most likely to regularly 

exercise (76.1 percent).

Overweight and Physical Activity > Children’s Physical Activity

13

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

White Black Hispanic Multiracial Other*

Percent of Children Who Participate

in Physical Activity on 3 or More Days

per Week, by Race and Ethnicity

Percent of Children

73.8

62.9

69.1

73.5

*Includes Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian/Alaska Native children.

76.1

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

400%

or More FPL

200-399%

FPL

100-199%

FPL

<100%

FPL**

Percent of Children Who Participate

in Physical Activity* on 3 or More Days

per Week, by Family Income

Percent of Children

75.0 72.3 70.2

65.6

*Activity that lasted at least 20 minutes and caused sweating and hard breathing.

**Federal Poverty Level, equal to $18,400 for a family of four in 2003.

The National Survey of Children’s Health

cont’d
0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

10-11 Years 12-14 Years 15-17 Years

Mean Days of Physical Activity

per Week, by Age

Number of Days

4.1 4.4

3.5

Overall, children aged 10 to 17

years participate in physical activity

that lasts at least 20 minutes and

causes sweating and hard breathing

for an average of 3.9 days per week,

as reported by parents. As with the

previous measure of physical activity,

males exercise a greater mean number

of days than females, and younger

children exercise a greater mean 

number of days than older children.

The average for males is 4.3 days 

per week, compared to 3.5 days for

females. Children aged 10 to 11 years

average 4.4 days, while 12- to 14-

year-olds average 4.1 days and 15- 

to 17-year-olds average 3.5 days 

per week.

The National Survey of Children’s Health

Overweight and Physical Activity > Children’s Physical Activity

14

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Male Female

Mean Days of Physical Activity*

per Week, by Sex

Number of Days

3.5

4.3

*Activity that lasted at least 20 minutes and caused sweating

and hard breathing.

cont’d
According to parents, over half

(58.6 percent) of 10- to 17-year-olds

participate in sports teams or take

sports lessons. Males are more likely

than females to participate in sports

(62.1 versus 55.0 percent). Children

aged 10 to 11 years and 12 to 14

years have almost equal rates of

participation in sports (61.5 and 

61.6 percent, respectively), while

those aged 15 to 17 years are less

likely to participate (53.4 percent).

Participation in sports also varies

by type of school attended. Of children in private schools, 74.2 percent

participate. The rate of participation

among public school children is 57.5

percent, and home-schooled children

are least likely to participate with 

a rate of 45.0 percent.

Overweight and Physical Activity > Children’s Physical Activity

15

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Male Female

Percent of Children

Who Participate in Sports Teams

or Sports Lessons, by Sex

Percent of Children

55.0

62.1

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

10-11 Years 12-14 Years 15-17 Years

Percent of Children

Who Participate in Sports Teams

or Sports Lessons, by Age

Percent of Children

53.4

61.5 61.6

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Public School Private School Home School

Percent of Children

Who Participate in Sports Teams

or Sports Lessons, by School Type

Percent of Children

74.2

57.5

45.0

Participation in Sports Teams

Among Children

Did Not Participate 

in Sports Teams 41.4%

Did Participate 

in Sports Teams

58.6% 

The National Survey of Children’s Health

cont’d
Physical activity and participation

in sports appear to be related to 

overweight in children aged 10 to 17

years. Children who are physically

active 3 or more days per week are

less likely to be overweight than

those who are not, 13.8 and 17.1 

percent, respectively.

Of children who participate on 

a sports team or take sports lessons,

12.6 percent are overweight, compared to 18.1 percent of children 

who do not participate in sports.

The National Survey of Children’s Health

Overweight and Physical Activity > Children’s Physical Activity

16

0

5

10

15

20

No Participation

in Sports

Participation

in Sports

Percent of Children Who Are

Overweight, by Participation

in Sports Teams or Sports Lessons

Percent of Children

18.1

12.6

0

5

10

15

20

Less Than 3 Days

per Week

3 or More Days

per Week

Percent of Children Who Are

Overweight, by Participation

in Physical Activity*

Percent of Children

17.1

13.8

*Activity that lasted at least 20 minutes and caused sweating and hard breathing.

cont’d
Physical Activity 

in the Family

According to parents, most 10- to 17-

year-old children have at least one

parent who exercises regularly. Overall,

72.9 percent of children have at least

one parent who regularly exercises or

plays sports hard enough to breathe

hard, have a fast heart beat, or sweat

for 20 minutes or more; the remaining

27.1 percent of children do not have

a parent who regularly exercises or

plays sports at this level of intensity.

Parental exercise appears to be

related to overweight among children.

Of all children who do not have a 

parent who exercises regularly, 17.0

percent are overweight; this is compared to 13.6 percent of children 

who do have at least one parent 

who exercises regularly.

As with exercise among children,

parental exercise varies by family

income. Among children with family

incomes under 100 percent of the

Federal poverty level (FPL), 56.7 

percent have at least one parent 

who exercises regularly. This rate 

continues to rise with family income,

and among children with family

incomes at 400 percent of FPL and

above, 83.8 percent have at least 

one parent who exercises regularly.

Overweight and Physical Activity > Physical Activity in the Family

17

0

5

10

15

20

At Least One Parent

Who Exercises

Regularly

No Parent

Who Exercises

Regularly

Percent of Children Who Are

Overweight, by Parental Exercise

Percent of Children

13.6

17.0

0

20

40

60

80

100

400%

or More FPL

200-399%

FPL

100-199%

FPL

<100%

FPL*

Percent of Children Whose Parents

Exercise Regularly, by Family Income

Percent of Children

83.8

66.9

*Federal Poverty Level, equal to $18,400 for a family of four in 2003.

56.7

76.6

Parental Exercise Among Children

At Least One Parent

Who Exercises Regularly

72.9%

No Parent

Who Exercises

Regularly

27.1%

The National Survey of Children’s Health
Physical Activity and the 

Neighborhood

Safety in the neighborhood or 

community, as defined by parents,

appears to be related to physical

activity and participation in sports.

Among those children living in 

neighborhoods that are usually or

always safe, 72.8 percent exercise 

on 3 or more days per week; this 

is compared to 63.8 percent of 

children living in neighborhoods 

that are reportedly never or only

sometimes safe.

Safety in the neighborhood or

community is similarly related to 

participation in sports among

children. Of those children living 

in neighborhoods that are usually 

or always safe, 60.9 percent participate in sports teams or take sports

lessons; among those children living

in neighborhoods that are reportedly

never or only sometimes safe, 47.2

percent participate in sports.

The National Survey of Children’s Health

Overweight and Physical Activity > Physical Activity and the Neighborhood

18

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Not Usually

or Always Safe

Usually

or Always Safe 

Percent of Children Who Participate

in Sports Teams or Sports Lessons,

by Neighborhood Safety

Percent of Children

60.9

47.2

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Not Usually

or Always Safe

Usually

or Always Safe 

Percent of Children Who Participate

in Physical Activity on 3 or More Days

per Week, by Neighborhood Safety*

Percent of Children

63.8

*Neighborhood safety is determined by whether the parent

feels the child is usually or always safe in that neighborhood.

72.8
19

The National Survey of Children’s Health

State-Level Data

The National Survey of Children’s Health provides information on the health and well-being of children in the 50 States and 

the District of Columbia (D.C.). This section presents the survey’s findings for each State and D.C., including the percentage of

children who are overweight; the percentage of children who exercised or participated in physical activity for at least 20 minutes

on 3 or more days during the past week; the percentage of children who were on a sports team or took sports lessons during the

past 12 months; and the percentage of children who have parents who exercise regularly. Several of these indicators are also

shown by one or more of the following: children’s age, family income, and sex. These data are presented in comparison with the

National statistics presented in the previous section.
Alaska

All statistics are based on parental reports.

AlabamaAll statistics are based on parental reports.

Percent of children who are overweight Percent of children who are overweight

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

0-99% Federal poverty level 0-99% Federal poverty level

100-199% Federal poverty level 100-199% Federal poverty level200-399% Federal poverty level 200-399% Federal poverty level

400% Federal poverty level or more 400% Federal poverty level or more

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity

for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who were on a sports team Percent of children who were on a sports team

or took sports lessons during the past 12 months or took sports lessons during the past 12 months

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

16.722.315.713.719.819.814.413.520.313.077.688.579.566.882.172.752.251.756.148.158.246.071.1

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

11.114.512.6

7.6

17.111.610.2

6.4

13.8

8.2

75.583.476.270.377.074.261.672.763.952.860.162.977.3

20The National Survey

of Children’s Health

The National Survey

of Children’s Health

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005
Percent of children who are overweight Percent of children who are overweight

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

0-99% Federal poverty level 0-99% Federal poverty level

100-199% Federal poverty level 100-199% Federal poverty level200-399% Federal poverty level 200-399% Federal poverty level

400% Federal poverty level or more 400% Federal poverty level or more

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity

for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who were on a sports team Percent of children who were on a sports team

or took sports lessons during the past 12 months or took sports lessons during the past 12 months

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

12.214.815.9

6.8

22.216.2

8.86.2

16.5

7.8

72.782.174.063.877.967.453.751.260.648.555.951.575.5

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

16.426.613.813.416.120.515.313.722.210.871.980.674.763.279.065.359.058.760.557.464.454.072.4

The National Surveyof Children’s Health

The National Survey

of Children’s Health

Arkansas

All statistics are based on parental reports.

ArizonaAll statistics are based on parental reports.

21

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005
Colorado

All statistics are based on parental reports.

CaliforniaAll statistics are based on parental reports.

Percent of children who are overweight Percent of children who are overweight

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

0-99% Federal poverty level 0-99% Federal poverty level

100-199% Federal poverty level 100-199% Federal poverty level200-399% Federal poverty level 200-399% Federal poverty level

400% Federal poverty level or more 400% Federal poverty level or more

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity

for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who were on a sports team Percent of children who were on a sports team

or took sports lessons during the past 12 months or took sports lessons during the past 12 months

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

13.225.810.1

8.5

16.620.411.4

7.9

15.410.974.978.582.264.379.370.454.155.559.247.456.951.367.4

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

9.9

16.5

8.77.2

18.614.810.2

5.5

13.2

6.6

70.483.268.763.973.367.466.369.470.958.667.165.479.9

22The National Survey

of Children’s Health

The National Survey

of Children’s Health

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005
Percent of children who are overweight Percent of children who are overweight

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

0-99% Federal poverty level 0-99% Federal poverty level

100-199% Federal poverty level 100-199% Federal poverty level200-399% Federal poverty level 200-399% Federal poverty level

400% Federal poverty level or more 400% Federal poverty level or more

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity

for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who were on a sports team Percent of children who were on a sports team

or took sports lessons during the past 12 months or took sports lessons during the past 12 months

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

12.317.310.011.437.216.210.0

9.6

15.2

9.4

68.568.972.364.773.962.768.576.266.964.871.165.775.8

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

14.816.016.912.021.621.214.310.818.610.965.773.166.160.572.359.058.057.257.958.562.153.771.7

The National Surveyof Children’s Health

The National Survey

of Children’s Health

Delaware

All statistics are based on parental reports.

ConnecticutAll statistics are based on parental reports.

23

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005
Florida

All statistics are based on parental reports.

District of ColumbiaAll statistics are based on parental reports.

Percent of children who are overweight Percent of children who are overweight

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

0-99% Federal poverty level 0-99% Federal poverty level

100-199% Federal poverty level 100-199% Federal poverty level200-399% Federal poverty level 200-399% Federal poverty level

400% Federal poverty level or more 400% Federal poverty level or more

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity

for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who were on a sports team Percent of children who were on a sports team

or took sports lessons during the past 12 months or took sports lessons during the past 12 months

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

22.836.820.714.134.222.222.712.226.618.962.167.360.559.971.452.657.557.558.556.163.551.460.1

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

14.423.215.1

7.7

25.814.012.3

9.1

19.5

9.2

68.978.371.859.176.960.350.147.255.945.554.645.274.3

24The National Survey

of Children’s Health

The National Survey

of Children’s Health

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005
Percent of children who are overweight Percent of children who are overweight

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

0-99% Federal poverty level 0-99% Federal poverty level

100-199% Federal poverty level 100-199% Federal poverty level200-399% Federal poverty level 200-399% Federal poverty level

400% Federal poverty level or more 400% Federal poverty level or more

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity

for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who were on a sports team Percent of children who were on a sports team

or took sports lessons during the past 12 months or took sports lessons during the past 12 months

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

16.420.119.910.120.318.517.9

8.4

18.914.069.182.171.257.572.765.653.553.158.548.458.548.573.7

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

13.314.215.310.018.017.411.911.516.410.075.282.773.671.880.769.065.667.964.165.967.763.681.5

The National Surveyof Children’s Health

The National Survey

of Children’s Health

Hawaii

All statistics are based on parental reports.

GeorgiaAll statistics are based on parental reports.

25

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005
Illinois

All statistics are based on parental reports.

IdahoAll statistics are based on parental reports.

Percent of children who are overweight Percent of children who are overweight

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

0-99% Federal poverty level 0-99% Federal poverty level

100-199% Federal poverty level 100-199% Federal poverty level200-399% Federal poverty level 200-399% Federal poverty level

400% Federal poverty level or more 400% Federal poverty level or more

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity

for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who were on a sports team Percent of children who were on a sports team

or took sports lessons during the past 12 months or took sports lessons during the past 12 months

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

10.117.5

7.97.6

24.112.3

6.95.5

12.7

7.3

70.572.975.863.973.866.963.563.471.555.963.463.578.5

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

15.818.518.511.226.519.413.8

9.7

17.214.471.173.073.966.975.367.163.468.966.556.467.759.373.2

26The National Survey

of Children’s Health

The National Survey

of Children’s Health

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005
Percent of children who are overweight Percent of children who are overweight

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

0-99% Federal poverty level 0-99% Federal poverty level

100-199% Federal poverty level 100-199% Federal poverty level200-399% Federal poverty level 200-399% Federal poverty level

400% Federal poverty level or more 400% Federal poverty level or more

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity

for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who were on a sports team Percent of children who were on a sports team

or took sports lessons during the past 12 months or took sports lessons during the past 12 months

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

15.617.815.414.524.122.211.313.921.4

9.0

70.781.470.963.873.167.864.578.969.949.965.463.472.9

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

12.522.4

9.2

10.317.916.611.510.215.3

9.5

74.878.977.768.981.068.070.969.575.366.773.268.379.0

The National Surveyof Children’s Health

The National Survey

of Children’s Health

Iowa

All statistics are based on parental reports.

IndianaAll statistics are based on parental reports.

27

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005
Kentucky

All statistics are based on parental reports.

KansasAll statistics are based on parental reports.

Percent of children who are overweight Percent of children who are overweight

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

0-99% Federal poverty level 0-99% Federal poverty level

100-199% Federal poverty level 100-199% Federal poverty level200-399% Federal poverty level 200-399% Federal poverty level

400% Federal poverty level or more 400% Federal poverty level or more

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity

for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who were on a sports team Percent of children who were on a sports team

or took sports lessons during the past 12 months or took sports lessons during the past 12 months

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

14.017.915.010.228.014.413.2

7.7

18.9

8.5

76.683.984.363.581.970.963.767.566.058.565.861.475.2

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

20.629.718.317.030.324.115.112.724.017.468.478.671.657.074.462.353.059.356.644.456.649.874.5

28The National Survey

of Children’s Health

The National Survey

of Children’s Health

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005
Percent of children who are overweight Percent of children who are overweight

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

0-99% Federal poverty level 0-99% Federal poverty level

100-199% Federal poverty level 100-199% Federal poverty level200-399% Federal poverty level 200-399% Federal poverty level

400% Federal poverty level or more 400% Federal poverty level or more

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity

for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who were on a sports team Percent of children who were on a sports team

or took sports lessons during the past 12 months or took sports lessons during the past 12 months

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

17.222.817.213.422.918.315.515.219.414.975.286.277.065.280.569.756.057.556.853.862.049.473.8

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

12.718.311.410.417.017.713.6

6.0

16.8

8.5

67.374.375.954.572.961.669.879.171.362.269.170.478.4

The National Surveyof Children’s Health

The National Survey

of Children’s Health

Maine

All statistics are based on parental reports.

LouisianaAll statistics are based on parental reports.

29

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005
Massachusetts

All statistics are based on parental reports.

MarylandAll statistics are based on parental reports.

Percent of children who are overweight Percent of children who are overweight

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

0-99% Federal poverty level 0-99% Federal poverty level

100-199% Federal poverty level 100-199% Federal poverty level200-399% Federal poverty level 200-399% Federal poverty level

400% Federal poverty level or more 400% Federal poverty level or more

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity

for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who were on a sports team Percent of children who were on a sports team

or took sports lessons during the past 12 months or took sports lessons during the past 12 months

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

13.318.510.912.717.921.013.0

7.9

18.3

7.9

61.771.663.853.270.552.660.868.664.651.864.257.175.6

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

13.620.112.210.729.923.911.7

8.5

17.5

9.4

67.669.975.358.073.061.669.880.170.162.473.865.475.8

30The National Survey

of Children’s Health

The National Survey

of Children’s Health

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005
Percent of children who are overweight Percent of children who are overweight

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

0-99% Federal poverty level 0-99% Federal poverty level

100-199% Federal poverty level 100-199% Federal poverty level200-399% Federal poverty level 200-399% Federal poverty level

400% Federal poverty level or more 400% Federal poverty level or more

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity

for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who were on a sports team Percent of children who were on a sports team

or took sports lessons during the past 12 months or took sports lessons during the past 12 months

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

14.518.615.111.319.122.615.2

6.2

16.312.469.677.076.557.476.761.764.766.568.559.468.061.171.2

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

10.113.510.0

8.2

13.312.610.4

6.8

12.8

7.3

72.886.273.763.377.967.567.573.172.358.671.263.677.3

The National Surveyof Children’s Health

The National Survey

of Children’s Health

Minnesota

All statistics are based on parental reports.

MichiganAll statistics are based on parental reports.

31

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005
Missouri

All statistics are based on parental reports.

MississippiAll statistics are based on parental reports.

Percent of children who are overweight Percent of children who are overweight

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

0-99% Federal poverty level 0-99% Federal poverty level

100-199% Federal poverty level 100-199% Federal poverty level200-399% Federal poverty level 200-399% Federal poverty level

400% Federal poverty level or more 400% Federal poverty level or more

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity

for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who were on a sports team Percent of children who were on a sports team

or took sports lessons during the past 12 months or took sports lessons during the past 12 months

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %17.825.619.411.522.318.416.19.120.415.369.478.672.061.076.062.848.956.546.746.456.741.068.1

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

15.620.315.712.425.516.917.1

7.7

17.213.972.179.674.764.277.366.560.264.560.657.163.756.776.6

32The National Survey

of Children’s Health

The National Survey

of Children’s Health

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005
Percent of children who are overweight Percent of children who are overweight

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

0-99% Federal poverty level 0-99% Federal poverty level

100-199% Federal poverty level 100-199% Federal poverty level200-399% Federal poverty level 200-399% Federal poverty level

400% Federal poverty level or more 400% Federal poverty level or more

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity

for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who were on a sports team Percent of children who were on a sports team

or took sports lessons during the past 12 months or took sports lessons during the past 12 months

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

11.117.7

9.09.3

22.6

6.3

10.9

9.9

14.9

7.0

76.483.681.667.979.173.667.667.877.758.770.165.180.1

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

11.911.712.311.822.915.6

9.85.8

15.4

8.2

74.276.678.768.578.270.070.272.376.862.769.371.074.1

The National Surveyof Children’s Health

The National Survey

of Children’s Health

Nebraska

All statistics are based on parental reports.

MontanaAll statistics are based on parental reports.

33

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005
New Hampshire

All statistics are based on parental reports.

NevadaAll statistics are based on parental reports.

Percent of children who are overweight Percent of children who are overweight

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

0-99% Federal poverty level 0-99% Federal poverty level

100-199% Federal poverty level 100-199% Federal poverty level200-399% Federal poverty level 200-399% Federal poverty level

400% Federal poverty level or more 400% Federal poverty level or more

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity

for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who were on a sports team Percent of children who were on a sports team

or took sports lessons during the past 12 months or took sports lessons during the past 12 months

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

12.418.512.1

8.9

16.318.011.1

7.6

15.1

9.5

72.678.976.563.776.768.151.654.848.752.352.850.275.4

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

12.912.812.813.119.220.111.0

9.9

18.0

7.5

68.170.673.860.773.562.367.176.469.658.968.965.180.2

34The National Survey

of Children’s Health

The National Survey

of Children’s Health

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005
Percent of children who are overweight Percent of children who are overweight

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

0-99% Federal poverty level 0-99% Federal poverty level

100-199% Federal poverty level 100-199% Federal poverty level200-399% Federal poverty level 200-399% Federal poverty level

400% Federal poverty level or more 400% Federal poverty level or more

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity

for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who were on a sports team Percent of children who were on a sports team

or took sports lessons during the past 12 months or took sports lessons during the past 12 months

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

13.715.916.5

9.1

23.620.814.9

8.2

17.010.366.867.967.165.674.958.264.463.566.262.766.961.669.9

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

16.831.215.110.729.715.614.4

7.3

18.215.469.980.173.360.277.661.554.852.856.254.759.749.675.5

The National Surveyof Children’s Health

The National Survey

of Children’s Health

New Mexico

All statistics are based on parental reports.

New JerseyAll statistics are based on parental reports.

35

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005
North Carolina

All statistics are based on parental reports.

New YorkAll statistics are based on parental reports.

Percent of children who are overweight Percent of children who are overweight

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

0-99% Federal poverty level 0-99% Federal poverty level

100-199% Federal poverty level 100-199% Federal poverty level200-399% Federal poverty level 200-399% Federal poverty level

400% Federal poverty level or more 400% Federal poverty level or more

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity

for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who were on a sports team Percent of children who were on a sports team

or took sports lessons during the past 12 months or took sports lessons during the past 12 months

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

15.326.015.8

7.3

18.716.615.612.120.310.268.272.566.766.776.759.655.761.054.253.662.548.868.0

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

19.320.523.413.529.928.316.7

8.0

21.617.074.485.375.564.679.169.654.354.453.055.759.748.873.2

36The National Survey

of Children’s Health

The National Survey

of Children’s Health

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005
Percent of children who are overweight Percent of children who are overweight

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

0-99% Federal poverty level 0-99% Federal poverty level

100-199% Federal poverty level 100-199% Federal poverty level200-399% Federal poverty level 200-399% Federal poverty level

400% Federal poverty level or more 400% Federal poverty level or more

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity

for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who were on a sports team Percent of children who were on a sports team

or took sports lessons during the past 12 months or took sports lessons during the past 12 months

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

12.121.111.4

7.4

16.014.211.7

9.2

13.111.175.482.775.470.880.470.171.473.875.866.275.067.478.0

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

14.221.712.311.417.222.410.6

8.6

16.711.569.974.972.763.876.063.562.870.264.057.068.856.573.4

The National Surveyof Children’s Health

The National Survey

of Children’s Health

Ohio

All statistics are based on parental reports.

North DakotaAll statistics are based on parental reports.

37

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005
Oregon

All statistics are based on parental reports.

OklahomaAll statistics are based on parental reports.

Percent of children who are overweight Percent of children who are overweight

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

0-99% Federal poverty level 0-99% Federal poverty level

100-199% Federal poverty level 100-199% Federal poverty level200-399% Federal poverty level 200-399% Federal poverty level

400% Federal poverty level or more 400% Federal poverty level or more

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity

for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who were on a sports team Percent of children who were on a sports team

or took sports lessons during the past 12 months or took sports lessons during the past 12 months

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

15.420.317.010.824.017.311.6

9.1

19.910.473.382.476.464.782.363.559.865.661.155.062.057.571.8

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

14.116.213.713.227.518.2

9.9

11.816.511.777.081.680.469.979.974.062.065.960.560.766.457.478.9

38The National Survey

of Children’s Health

The National Survey

of Children’s Health

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005
Percent of children who are overweight Percent of children who are overweight

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

0-99% Federal poverty level 0-99% Federal poverty level

100-199% Federal poverty level 100-199% Federal poverty level200-399% Federal poverty level 200-399% Federal poverty level

400% Federal poverty level or more 400% Federal poverty level or more

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity

for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who were on a sports team Percent of children who were on a sports team

or took sports lessons during the past 12 months or took sports lessons during the past 12 months

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

13.316.613.710.810.018.112.711.216.9

9.5

67.974.270.660.673.761.560.963.867.951.164.257.172.8

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

11.918.214.7

4.9

21.915.610.1

9.0

13.8

9.9

63.867.663.561.669.457.863.469.667.355.169.157.468.2

The National Surveyof Children’s Health

The National Survey

of Children’s Health

Rhode Island

All statistics are based on parental reports.

PennsylvaniaAll statistics are based on parental reports.

39

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005
South Dakota

All statistics are based on parental reports.

South CarolinaAll statistics are based on parental reports.

Percent of children who are overweight Percent of children who are overweight

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

0-99% Federal poverty level 0-99% Federal poverty level

100-199% Federal poverty level 100-199% Federal poverty level200-399% Federal poverty level 200-399% Federal poverty level

400% Federal poverty level or more 400% Federal poverty level or more

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity

for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who were on a sports team Percent of children who were on a sports team

or took sports lessons during the past 12 months or took sports lessons during the past 12 months

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

18.931.916.713.924.421.518.310.821.816.267.580.569.956.476.858.445.352.943.742.551.739.072.9

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

12.121.1

8.59.5

22.114.3

9.64.8

16.4

7.5

73.278.277.165.277.668.471.572.077.964.271.871.275.4

40The National Survey

of Children’s Health

The National Survey

of Children’s Health

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005
Percent of children who are overweight Percent of children who are overweight

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

0-99% Federal poverty level 0-99% Federal poverty level

100-199% Federal poverty level 100-199% Federal poverty level200-399% Federal poverty level 200-399% Federal poverty level

400% Federal poverty level or more 400% Federal poverty level or more

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity

for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who were on a sports team Percent of children who were on a sports team

or took sports lessons during the past 12 months or took sports lessons during the past 12 months

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

20.032.518.912.833.122.917.312.822.916.865.171.070.954.972.457.154.863.656.247.257.751.571.7

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

19.129.115.017.127.324.318.510.723.415.173.982.274.966.577.370.555.853.659.752.656.355.272.5

The National Surveyof Children’s Health

The National Survey

of Children’s Health

Texas

All statistics are based on parental reports.

TennesseeAll statistics are based on parental reports.

41

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005
Vermont

All statistics are based on parental reports.

UtahAll statistics are based on parental reports.

Percent of children who are overweight Percent of children who are overweight

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

0-99% Federal poverty level 0-99% Federal poverty level

100-199% Federal poverty level 100-199% Federal poverty level200-399% Federal poverty level 200-399% Federal poverty level

400% Federal poverty level or more 400% Federal poverty level or more

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity

for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who were on a sports team Percent of children who were on a sports team

or took sports lessons during the past 12 months or took sports lessons during the past 12 months

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

8.5

17.3

5.45.77.77.4

11.2

6.0

10.7

6.2

71.776.375.964.177.765.163.269.863.658.170.555.280.7

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

11.316.210.6

9.4

22.112.310.1

9.1

13.8

8.8

73.584.380.659.779.667.274.379.478.866.574.174.480.8

42The National Survey

of Children’s Health

The National Survey

of Children’s Health

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005
Percent of children who are overweight Percent of children who are overweight

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

0-99% Federal poverty level 0-99% Federal poverty level

100-199% Federal poverty level 100-199% Federal poverty level200-399% Federal poverty level 200-399% Federal poverty level

400% Federal poverty level or more 400% Federal poverty level or more

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity

for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who were on a sports team Percent of children who were on a sports team

or took sports lessons during the past 12 months or took sports lessons during the past 12 months

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

13.820.714.3

8.5

26.714.017.7

7.4

17.510.272.580.076.562.976.968.160.663.065.453.664.356.974.1

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

10.814.711.3

7.98.9

16.410.2

8.9

13.4

8.3

72.980.277.463.577.468.461.567.564.055.364.359.279.2

The National Surveyof Children’s Health

The National Survey

of Children’s Health

Washington

All statistics are based on parental reports.

VirginiaAll statistics are based on parental reports.

43

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005
Wisconsin

All statistics are based on parental reports.

West VirginiaAll statistics are based on parental reports.

Percent of children who are overweight Percent of children who are overweight

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

0-99% Federal poverty level 0-99% Federal poverty level

100-199% Federal poverty level 100-199% Federal poverty level200-399% Federal poverty level 200-399% Federal poverty level

400% Federal poverty level or more 400% Federal poverty level or more

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity

for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children who were on a sports team Percent of children who were on a sports team

or took sports lessons during the past 12 months or took sports lessons during the past 12 months

Age 10-11 Age 10-11Age 12-14 Age 12-14Age 15-17 Age 15-17

Male Male

Female Female

Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly Percent of children with at least one parent who exercises regularly

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

20.928.321.515.232.122.316.8

8.9

26.814.877.184.880.567.881.672.655.764.855.649.558.153.375.0

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

13.523.913.1

7.6

38.113.215.6

5.3

16.810.275.182.075.470.679.870.464.072.566.157.063.764.474.7

44The National Survey

of Children’s Health

The National Survey

of Children’s Health

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005
Percent of children who are overweight

Age 10-11Age 12-14Age 15-17

0-99% Federal poverty level

100-199% Federal poverty level

2900-399% Federal poverty level

400% Federal poverty level or more

Male

Female

Percent of children who exercised or participated in physical activity

for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days during the past week

Age 10-11Age 12-14Age 15-17

Male

Female

Percent of children who were on a sports team

or took sports lessons during the past 12 months

Age 10-11Age 12-14Age 15-17

Male

Female

Percent of children with parents who exercise regularly

National %

14.821.914.410.722.419.013.7

9.1

18.111.571.378.274.263.376.865.658.661.561.653.462.155.072.9

State %

8.7

14.3

8.65.6

15.5

9.38.05.29.77.5

76.883.479.670.280.572.769.774.071.965.270.369.078.3

The National Surveyof Children’s Health

WyomingAll statistics are based on parental reports.

45

Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children:

A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005

About 

the Survey

The National Survey of Children’s

Health (NSCH) was fielded using the

State and Local Area Integrated

Telephone Survey (SLAITS) mechanism.

SLAITS is conducted by the U.S.

Department of Health and Human

Services, Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention (CDC), National Center

for Health Statistics (NCHS). It uses

the same large-scale random-digit-dial

sampling frame as the CDC’s National

Immunization Survey.6

Approximately 1.9 million telephone

numbers were randomly generated 

for inclusion in the NSCH. After 

eliminating numbers that were

determined to be nonresidential or

nonworking, the remaining numbers

were called to identify households

with children less than 18 years 

of age. From each household with

children, one was randomly selected

to be the focus of the interview. 

The respondent was the parent or

guardian in the household who was

most knowledgeable about the health

and health care of the children under

18 years of age. For 79 percent of the

children, the respondent was the

mother. Respondents for the remaining

children were fathers (17 percent),

grandparents (3 percent), or other

relatives or guardians (1 percent).

Surveys were conducted in English

and Spanish. Overall, 5.9 percent 

of the interviews were completed 

in Spanish.

Data 

Collection

Data collection began on January 29,

2003 and ended on July 1, 2004, with

interviews conducted from telephone

centers in Chicago, Illinois; Las Vegas,

Nevada; and Amherst, Massachusetts.

A computer-assisted telephone interviewing system was used to collect

the data. A total of 102,353 interviews

were completed for the NSCH, with 87

percent of the interviews completed

in 2003. The number of completed

interviews varied by State, ranging

from 1,848 in New Mexico to 2,241 

in Louisiana and Ohio, with one

exception: Only 1,483 interviews 

were completed in Utah. More than

2,000 interviews were completed 

in 25 States.

The cooperation rate, which is the

proportion of interviews completed

after a household was determined 

to include a child under age 18, was

68.8 percent. The national weighted

response rate, which includes the

cooperation rate as well as the resolution rate (the proportion of telephone

numbers identified as residential or

nonresidential) and the screening

completion rate (the proportion of

households successfully screened 

for children), was 55.3 percent. 

Overall response rates ranged from

49.6 percent in New Jersey to 64.4

percent in South Dakota. Several

efforts were made to increase

response rates, including sending 

letters to households in advance to

introduce the survey, toll-free numbers left on potential respondents’

answering machines to allow them 

to call back, and small monetary

incentives for those households 

with children who initially declined

to participate.

Data 

Analysis

In order to produce the populationbased estimates in this report, the

data records for each interview were

assigned a sampling weight. These

weights are based on the probability

of selection of each household telephone number within each State,

with adjustments that compensate 

for households that have multiple

telephone numbers, for households

without telephones, and for 

nonresponse. 

With data from the U.S. Bureau 

of the Census, the weights were also

adjusted by age, sex, race, ethnicity,

household size, and educational

attainment of the most educated

household member to provide a

dataset that was more representative

of each State’s population of noninstitutionalized children less than 

18 years of age. Analyses were 

conducted using statistical software

that accounts for the weights and the

complex survey design. Responses of

“don’t know” and “refuse to answer”

were counted as missing data.

Racial and ethnic groups are

mutually exclusive; that is, data

reported for White, Black, multiracial

and children of other races do not

include Hispanics, who may be of 

any race.

Introduction

47

The National Survey of Children’s Health

Technical Appendix
Endnotes

1 Office of the Surgeon General. The Surgeon 

General’s call to action to prevent and decrease

overweight and obesity. Washington, DC: U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services; 2001.

2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National

Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health

Promotion, Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity.

Overweight and obesity: economic consequences.

Atlanta, GA: The Centers; 2005 Apr.

3 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National

Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health

Promotion, Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity.

Overweight and obesity: contributing factors. Atlanta,

GA: The Centers; 2005 Apr.

4 Sallis JF, Patrick K, Long BL. Overview of the 

international consensus conference on physical

activity guidelines for adolescents. Pediatric 

Exercise Science 6, 299-301, 1994.

5 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National

Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health

Promotion, Division of Nutrition and Physical

Activity. BMI for children and teens. Available 

from: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/

bmi-for-age.htm. Updated 8 June, 2005.

6 Zell ER, Ezzati-Rice TM, Battaglia MP, Wright RA. 

National immunization survey: The methodology 

of a vaccination surveillance system. Public Health

Reports 115:65-77. 2000.

7 Blumberg SJ, Olson L, Frankel M, et al. Design 

and Operation of the National Survey of Children’s

Health, 2003. National Center for Health Statistics.

Vital Health Stat 1(43). 2005.

Accuracy of the Results

The data from the NSCH are subject

to the usual variability associated 

with sample surveys. Small differences

between survey estimates may be due

to random survey error and not to

true differences among children or

across States.

The precision of the survey estimates is based on the sample size and

the measure of interest. Estimates at

the national level will be more precise

than estimates at the State level.

Estimates for all children will be more

precise than estimates for subgroups

of children (for example, children 

0-5 years of age or children within

the same race). For national estimates 

of the health and health care for all

children, the maximum margin of error

is 0.6 percent. For the State-level

indicators for all children, the maximum margin of error is 3.0 percent.

Availability 

of the Data

Except for data suppressed to protect

the confidentiality of the survey 

subjects, all data collected in the

NSCH are available to the public on

the NCHS and Maternal and Child

Health Bureau Web sites. Data documentation and additional details 

on the methodology7 are available

from the NCHS:

www.cdc.gov/nchs/slaits.htm

Interactive data queries are possible

through the Data Resource Center 

on Child and Adolescent Health (DRC)

for the NSCH: www.nschdata.org

The DRC provides immediate access to

the survey data, as well as resources

and assistance for interpreting and

reporting findings.

The National Survey of Children’s Health

Introduction

48

The National Survey of Children’s Health

Maternal and Child Health Bureau

5600 Fishers Lane, Room 18-05

Rockville, MD 20857

301-443-2170

www.mchb.hrsa.gov