United States–México 

Border Health Commission 

 Childhood Obesity 

and the U.S.-México Border 

A White Paper 

June 22, 2009 
 Childhood Obesity and the U.S.-México Border 

United States-México Border Health Commission 

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Background: The purpose of this white paper is to raise awareness of the prevalence, risk factors, and health 

outcomes of the childhood obesity epidemic along the U.S. side of the U.S.-México border. More 

importantly, it should serve as a call to action and a catalyst to identify gaps in data, programs, and policies 

to prevent obesity in children as well as address other obesity related issues. The primary focus is on 

childhood obesity because it is a prevalent risk factor from which Type 2 Diabetes and other adverse health 

conditions can arise. 

Demographics: The border area is defined as the area 100 kilometers (62 miles) north and south of the U.S.-

México border1,2

 and includes the 48 counties along the U.S. side of the border of the four U.S. border states 

(Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas). The border area, for the purposes of this paper, refers only to 

the 44 U.S. border counties, excluding Maricopa, Pinal, and La Paz in Arizona and Riverside County in 

California. 

The population in the border region continues to grow at a rapid pace. There are over 69 million people in the 

U.S. border states and 7 million in the U.S. border counties3

 with over 25 million Hispanics in the U.S. 

border states and 3 million in the U.S. border counties.3,4 The border region also has a young population 

with over 2.2 million under 19 years of ag 5 e. 

Definition of Obesity: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) endorses the measurement of 

Body Mass Index (BMI) to determine if a child, defined as an individual under age 18, is overweight or 

obese. BMI is a measure of weight in relation to height that is used to determine weight status. The BMI 

value is plotted on gender specific growth charts to determine the corresponding BMI-for-age-percentile. 

Overweight is defined as a BMI at or above the 85th percentile and lower than the 95th percentile. Obesity is 

defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile.6

Factors Contributing to Obesity: The factors contributing to obesity are varied and complex, especially 

along the border, and can be biological, social, or environmental in nature. The border region is marked by 

low levels of education, poverty, and high migration rates, which may indirectly contribute to the obesity 

epidemic. For example, between 16% and 29% of children under the age of 18 in the U.S. border states are 

living below the federal poverty level7

 and some research demonstrates an association between high poverty 

rates and high obesity rates.8,9

Some examples of risk factors for obesity include: 

• Socio-economic status such as poverty and low education levels 

• Poor nutritional intake, such as high calorie, high fat foods that are low in minerals and vitamins 

• Reduced physical activity 

• Increased sedentary lifestyle 

These factors and many others need to be carefully addressed when designing programs or implementing 

policies to prevent obesity. 

Obesity is one of the major risk factors for developing Type 2 Diabetes.9

 Once an individual is diagnosed 

with diabetes, that person’s risk for developing other diseases and conditions sharply increases. Some of 

these diseases and conditions are heart disease, strokes, blindness, kidney disease, dental disease, 

hypertension, and pregnancy complications.10 

Approximately 1.5 million adults in the border region are overweight or obese and another 1.2 million have 

been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.11 An increasing number of children and adolescents in this region are 

becoming overweight or obese, which can have negative lifelong impacts.
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Prevalence of Obesity: Methods for collecting, analyzing, and reporting overweight and obesity data differ 

by state making it difficult to provide a comprehensive picture of childhood obesity along the border as well 

as make comparisons between the U.S. border states and the border counties. Some data on the prevalence 

rates of overweight and obese adolescents are available as well as information on nutritional intake and 

physical activity levels. On the other hand, data on children under the age of 10 years is not systematically 

collected by any of the four border states. 

Overweight/obesity combined with a sedentary lifestyle is 5-10 times higher among Mexican-Americans 

living in the border region compared to the rest of the U.S.12 This demonstrates the need to closely examine 

what is occurring in the border region among all populations, especially among the Hispanic population. 

According to the most recently published data for the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 

(NHANES, 2003-2006), Mexican-American males, aged 12-19 years, had the highest prevalence of obesity 

(22.1%) compared to non-Hispanic white (17.3%) and black males (18.5%). Mexican-American males also 

had the largest increase in prevalence of obesity (14.1%-22.1%) from the NHANES survey periods of 1988-

1994 and 2003-2006. The prevalence of obesity for Mexican-American females was 19.9% for the period of 

2003-2006 and their prevalence also increased (9.2%-19.9%) from the NHANES survey periods of 1988-

1994 and 2003-2006.13

The 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health presents a grimmer picture which indicates that across the 

U.S. 31.7% of all children and 40.9% of Hispanic children aged 10-17 years are overweight or obese. The 

following compares Hispanic children in the four border states to the national rate for Hispanic children 

(40.9%) in the same age group:14 

• Arizona 43.4% 

• California 39.9% 

• New Mexico 37.0% 

• Texas 46.8% 

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) is a school-based survey that monitors health-risk behaviors 

among adolescents. In Arizona, available data compares 2005 and 2007 for three border counties, Cochise, 

Santa Cruz, and Yuma. Cochise and Santa Cruz experienced increases, 11.9%-12.4% and 12.0%-12.2%, 

respectively, in the percentage of overweight youth, while Yuma experienced a decrease (20%-17%) in the 

percentage of overweight youth. All three counties reported an increase in the percent of youth who are at 

risk of becoming overweight.15,16,17 

 

In Luna County, New Mexico, 23.2% of students in grades 9-12 were either overweight or obese in 2007. In 

Hidalgo County, 28.7% of students and 24.4% of students in Doña Ana County were either overweight or 

obese in 2007.18,19,20

 

Like Arizona and New Mexico, Texas also participates in the YRBS, but data are reported for the entire state 

rather than by individual counties. However, the Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Prevention 

Program within the Department of State Health Services reports on the prevalence of overweight and obese 

children by Health Service Region (HSR). Four of these HSRs, regions 8-11, include border counties in 

addition to non-border counties. In 2005, the most recent data reported that between 15% and 39% of 4th, 8th, 

and 11th grade children were overweight or obese in these regions.21 

The 2007 California Health Survey provides the most recent information for overweight and obese children 

throughout each county in the state. Imperial County reports a significantly higher percent (18.9%) of 
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children under the age of 12 years who are overweight for their age when compared to San Diego County 

(8.8%) and the state of California (11.2%).22 In Imperial County, 11.5%, and in San Diego County, 12.1%, 

of adolescents aged 12-17 years were overweight or obese,22 although in the San Diego Unified School 

District in San Diego County, 36% of Hispanic teens that participated in the 2007 YRBS considered 

themselves ove 23 rweight.

Addressing Obesity: Childhood obesity has been made a national-level priority. Healthy People 2010, 

developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), includes an objective to reduce the 

proportion of children and adolescents who are overweight or obese. However, the midcourse review shows 

the prevalence of overweight and obese youths aged 6-19 years increased from 11% in 1994 to 16% in 

2002.24 In fact, research is showing that children as young as ten years of age are now being diagnosed with 

Type 2 Diabetes, which is most likely the result of the obesity epidemic.10 

For the border region, Healthy Border 2010 was established as an initiative for health promotion and disease 

prevention by the U.S.-México Border Health Commission (BHC) at the beginning of the decade. While 

morbidity and mortality from diabetes mellitus in adults was made a priority, obesity and related risk factors 

such as poor nutrition and physical inactivity were excluded from the binational framework, although the 

U.S. states maintained an adult obesity objective under the U.S.-only Healthy Gente 2010 initiative.25

Obesity, nutrition, and physical activity will be proposed for inclusion in Healthy Border 2020. 

The economic costs associated with obesity for both families and the health care system are often 

overlooked. Nationally, annual hospital costs for obesity-associated conditions in children and adolescents 

tripled, rising from $35 million between 1979 and 1981 to $127 million between 1997 and 1999.26 This does 

not include indirect costs such as productivity lost at work and school because parents must take their 

children to the hospital. 

In addition to data on overweight and obese children, nutritional intake and physical activity levels are two 

common measurable behaviors used to identify those at risk of becoming overweight or obese. The U.S. 

Department of Agriculture and HHS recommend children and adolescents eat at least five servings of fruits 

and vegetables each day. Data shows that healthy eating is associated with a lower risk for overweight and 

obesity.27 This highlights the need to consider dietary habits in any and all obesity prevention programs. In 

Arizona border counties, approximately 82% of students, and throughout the state of Texas, 83% of children 

ate less than the recommended amount in 2007. 15, 16, 17, 28 

Physical activity is another measurable behavior that can be used to prevent obesity. Reports show that 

children and adolescents along the border are not receiving the recommended amount of at least 60 minutes 

of physical activity each day.29,30 The three border counties in Arizona have experienced a decrease in the 

percentage of youth who were active for the recommended amount of time from 2005-2007.15,16,17 In 

California, 38% of children, in New Mexico, 56% of children, and in Texas, 55% of children were not 

physically active for the recommended amount of time. 18, 19, 20,23, 28

Gaps: A major issue in addressing childhood obesity along the U.S.-México border is the lack of comparable 

data, including reporting measures and reporting standards, for the border region. Data are highly dependent 

on the agency collecting the information, the methods used to determine prevalence, and information on 

obesity-related behaviors. Establishing a standard borderwide surveillance system for monitoring rates of 

childhood obesity in the U.S. and in México at the state level, county level, and in sister cities, where obesity 

rates are rising will help address these data-specific issues. 

The lack of a comprehensive approach in addressing childhood obesity between and among the primary 

sectors, i.e. health care, public health, education, food and beverage industry, etc. is a key barrier to 
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achieving the best outcomes.31 Additionally, there is little in the form of a comprehensive health promotion 

media campaign focused on children and youth related to obesity prevention. The VERB multi-media 

campaign, sponsored by the CDC, was aimed at increasing and maintaining physical activity levels for 

children aged 9-13 years, but campaign funding ended in 2006, despite positive outcomes from initial 

evaluations.32,33 

While there are interventions in place in local communities and schools throughout the border region, it is 

important to ensure these interventions are evidenced-based. To meet this end, funding is needed for 

translational and adaptation research to test existing evidence-based interventions in the unique sociocultural 

context of the border region. 

Developing Solutions: There are numerous programs and policies already in place in local communities and 

schools across the border region working to address and prevent childhood obesity. In general, they focus on 

improving nutrition and increasing physical activity levels. Examples of these include:

• Nutrition: 

o Implementing healthier breakfast and lunch menus in schools 

o Eliminating sweet foods and sodas in vending machines in schools 

o Incorporating nutrition education into other parts of school curriculums (i.e. reading 

nutrition labels to increase vocabulary) 

o Eliminating trans fats from foods in restaurants and fast food establishments 

o Breastfeeding promotion programs 

o Providing healthy foods at affordable prices in stores 

• Physical Activity: 

o Increasing the amount of time in physical education classes 

o Providing alternate activities to decrease time spent on the computer and watching 

television in after-school programs, daycare centers, and community programs 

o Implementing programs that encourage children and families to walk to school and other 

areas within their community 

Challenges and Opportunities: The population of children and adolescents residing on the U.S. side of the 

U.S.-México border numbers over 2 million and has one of the highest rates of obesity in the nation.5

 Obesity 

contributes to the onset of Type 2 Diabetes, which is associated with many other health, social, and economic 

problems throughout an individual’s lifetime.10 

A standard surveillance system for the border region is needed to understand disease prevalence and trends in 

the border region and to compare this unique geographic region to other areas. 

With the daily migration and general sociocultural parameters of the border region, it cannot be assumed that 

interventions tested outside of the border will necessarily have a similar impact in the border region. 

Evidence-based programs that are tailored to the unique aspects of the border are needed to reduce the 

number of obese children. 

It is imperative that leaders at all levels seek broad-based and comprehensive solutions such as through the 

promotion of national and borderwide action plans that are aimed at prevention and wellness in particular, as 

more children will be at risk of developing these debilitating and chronic conditions brought about by the 

growing problem of childhood obesity.31, 34 
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1

 La Paz Agreement of 1983. Retrieved June 1, 2009 from http://www.epa.gov/border2012/docs/LaPazAgreement.pdf. 2

 Public Law 103-400 (22 U.S. Code, 290 n-5) which established the U.S.-México Border Health Commission in 1999. 

3

 U.S. Census Bureau. 2005-2007 American Community Survey. Retrieved May 18, 2009 from 

http://factfinder.census.gov/home/saff/main.html?_lang=en. 4

 U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division. Population Estimates. Retrieved May 26, 2009 from 

http://www.census.gov/popest/estimates.html. 5

 La Fe Research & Education Center. (2008). U.S/Mexico Border Fact Sheet: Demographic Profile. Retrieved May 15, 

2009 from 

http://www.lafepolicycenter.org/documents/US%20MX%20BORDER%20DEMOGRAPHIC%20PROFILE.11%2018

%2008%20.BRF.PDF. 6

 Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Defining Childhood Overweight and Obesity. Retrieved May 14, 2009 from 

http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/childhood/defining.htm. 7

 U.S. Census Bureau. 2005-2007 American Community Survey. Retrieved on May 22, 2009 from 

http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFPeople?_submenuId=people_9&_sse=on. 8

 Treviño, R., Fogt, D., Wyatt, T.J., Leal-Vasquez, L., & Sosa, E., et al. (2008). Diabetes risk, low fitness, and energy 

insufficiency levels among children from poor families. American Dietetic Association, 108 (11), 1846-1853. 9

 Trust for America’s Health. (2008). F as in fat: how obesity policies are failing America. Washington, D.C.: Jeffrey 

Levi, Serena Vinter, Rebecca St. Laurent,& Laura M.Segal. 

10 Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. National Diabetes Fact Sheet, 2007. Retrieved May 19, 2009 from 

http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/pdf/ndfs_2007.pdf. 11 Pan American Health Organization. The U.S.-Mexico Border Diabetes Prevention and Control Project, First Report 

of Results. 12 Arizona Department of Health Services. (2008). Steps to a healthier Arizona initiative final evaluation report. 

Phoenix: Chris Davidson, Rebecca Drummond, Maia Ingram, Samantha Sabo, Lisa Staten, & Kai-Ning Khor. 13 Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Obesity Prevalence. Retrieved May 14, 2009 from 

http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/childhood/prevalence.htm. 14 Child & Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative. 2007 National Survey of Children's Health, Data Resource 

Center for Child and Adolescent Health website. Retrieved May 22, 2009 from www.nschdata.org. 15 Arizona Department of Health Services. Cochise County Trends Report: BRFSS 2004-2007, YRBS 2005, 2007. 

Steps To A Healthier Arizona Initiative, Arizona Department of Health Services, Public Health Services, May 2008. 

16 Arizona Department of Health Services. Santa Cruz County Trends Report: BRFSS 2004-2007, YRBS 2005, 2007. 

Steps To A Healthier Arizona Initiative, Arizona Department of Health Services, Public Health Services, May 2008. 

17 Arizona Department of Health Services. Yuma County Trends Report: BRFSS 2004-2007, YRBS 2005, 2007. Steps 

To A Healthier Arizona Initiative, Arizona Department of Health Services, Public Health Services, May 2008. 18 New Mexico Department of Health. 2007 New Mexico Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey, High School (Grades 9-12), 

Hidalgo County. 19 New Mexico Department of Health. 2007 New Mexico Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey, High School (Grades 9-12), 

Luna County. 

20 New Mexico Department of Health. 2007 New Mexico Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey, High School (Grades 9-12), 

Doña Ana County. 

21 Texas Department of Health Services. The nutrition, physical activity & obesity prevention program regional data 

maps. Retrieved May 19, 2009 from http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/obesity/NPAOPdatamap.shtm. 22 2007 California Health Interview Survey. Retrieved June 9, 2009 from http://www.chis.ucla.edu/. 23 San Diego Unified School District. 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Results. Retrieved on May 20, 2009 from 

http://www.sandi.net/depts/sex_ed/YRBS/YRBS%202007%20Executive%20Summary%20Final%20Document.pdf, 24 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Healthy people 2010, nutrition and overweight. Retrieved May 18, 

2009 from http://www.healthypeople.gov/Data/midcourse/html/focusareas/FA19ProgressHP.htm. 25 Arizona Department of Health Services. Division of Public Health Services. Office of Border Health. Retrieved June 

10, 2009 from http://www.azdhs.gov/phs/borderhealth/. 26 Institute of Medicine. Focus on Childhood Obesity. Retrieved May 20, 2009 from 

http://www.iom.edu/CMS/22593.aspx. 27 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Guide to Preventive Services, Promoting good nutrition. 

http://www.thecommunityguide.org/nutrition/index.html. Last updated: 02/10/2009. 
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 28 The Endowment for Human Development. Texas 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Results. Retrieved May 18, 2009 

from 

http://www.ehd.org/health_YRBS_data_new.php?long=1&stateSelect=&yearSelect=&group=total&year=2007&stateN

ame=Texas. 29 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. Dietary Guidelines for 

Americans, 2005. 6th Edition, Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. 30 Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Physical Activity for Everyone. Retrieved June 1, 2009 from 

http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/guidelines/index.html. 31 Sanchez, E. (2009). Why childhood obesity must be integrated into all discussions about border health [PowerPoint 

slides]. U.S.-México Border Child & Adolescent Health Forum. El Paso, Texas. 32 Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Youth Media Campaign. Retrieved June 10, 2009 from 

http://www.cdc.gov/YouthCampaign/. 33 Berkowitz, J.M., Huhman, M., Nolin, M. J. (2008). Did augmenting the VERB campaign advertising in select 

communities have an effect on awareness, attitudes, and physical activity? American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 

34 (6), S257-S266. 

34 U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (2008). Confronting childhood obesity: creating a 

roadmap to healthier futures. Transcript. Santa Fe, New Mexico.