CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A new study from the Centers from Disease Control and Prevention obesity among 2- to 4-year-old children from low-income families has declined slightly in New Hampshire.
The rate has declined to 14.2 percent in 2010, down from 15.6 percent in 2003. Rates of those children considered overweight also decreased to 17.1 percent in 2010, down from 19.4 percent in 2003.
Dr. Jose Montero, New Hampshire's director of public health, says the declines are modest, but officials hope it's a sign that one of the state's health problems may be reversing course.
The decline could be due to reasons such as an increase in breastfeeding, which often leads to healthier weight gain for children; and a decrease in the money spent on food marketing to children.
