Fewer children enrolled in nutritional assistance program are obese

Fewer children enrolled in a federal nutritional assistance program are obese than nearly a decade ago, according to new research. Scientists looked at more than 12 million children under the age of 5, and found that the overall prevalence of obesity reduced from nearly 16% in 2010 to about 14% in 2016. The overall prevalence of overweight and obese children — those who have a BMI of over 25 — also dropped, from nearly 33% in 2010 to less than 30% six years later. Although the study did not look at the specific reasons behind the drop in obesity rates, the authors suggest that changes to which foods could be purchased through the program — including more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables — may have been a contributing factor.