Health - Children

By Jerry Price - Jul 28, 2006

  • The proportion of children ages 6-18 who were overweight increased from 6 percent in 1976-1980 to 16 percent in 1999-2002. Racial, ethnic, and gender disparities exist, such that in 1999-2002, Black-alone, non-Hispanic girls and Mexican American boys were at particularly high risk of being overweight (23 percent and 27 percent, respectively).
  • While still near its record low, the infant mortality rate increased in 2002 for the first time in decades. The rate was 7.0 deaths per 1,000 live births, up from a rate of 6.8 in 2001. A special analysis showed that most of the increase was due to an increase in the number of infants weighing less than 750 grams, or about 1 lb. 10 oz. Racial and ethnic disparities persist, with the Black, non-Hispanic infant mortality rate consistently higher than that of other racial or ethnic groups.
  • Child mortality dropped by approximately half between 1980 and 2002 among children ages 1-4 (from 64 to 31 deaths per 100,000 children) and among children ages 5-14 (from 31 to 17 deaths per 100,000 children).
  • Deaths from firearm injuries among adolescents declined between 1995 and 2002, particularly among Black and Hispanic males. For example, from 1995 to 2002, the firearm homicide rate declined from 101 to 48 deaths per 100,000 Black males and from 47 to 22 deaths per 100,000 Hispanic males.
  • The birth rate for adolescents continued to decline in 2003 to 22 births per 1,000 females ages 15-17, representing the lowest rate ever recorded. The decrease in adolescent births is apparent for all racial and ethnic groups and is notable among Black adolescents. The birth rate among Black, non-Hispanic females ages 15-17 dropped by more than half between 1991 and 2003 (from 86 to 39 births per 1,000), completely reversing the increase from 1986 to 1991.

America’s Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being 2005 (ChildStats.gov) [Accessed February 17, 2006]

While there is no generally accepted definition for obesity as distinct from overweight in children and adolescents, the prevalence of overweight is increasing for children and adolescents in the United States. Approximately 15.3 percent of children (ages 6-11) and 15.5 percent of adolescents (ages 12-19) were overweight in 2000. An additional 15 percent of children and 14.9 percent of adolescents were at risk for overweight (BMI for age between the 85th and 95th percentile). [Note: BMI=body mass index]

Statistics Related to Overweight and Obesity (Weight-control Information Network) [Accessed February 21, 2006]

Concerns of Children When Going to the Doctor

  • separation. Children often fear that their parents may leave them in the examining room and wait in another room. The fear of separation from the parent during mysterious examinations is most common in children under 7 years old, but it may be frightening to older children through ages 12 or 13.
  • pain. Children may worry that a part of the examination or a medical procedure will hurt. They especially fear they may need an injection, particularly children ages 6 through 12.
  • the doctor. Unfortunately, one of a child’s concerns may be the doctor’s manner. A child may misinterpret qualities such as speed, efficiency, or a detached attitude and read into them as sternness, dislike, or rejection.
  • the unknown. Apprehensive about the unknown, children also worry that their problem may be much worse than their parents are telling them. Some who have simple problems suspect they may need surgery or hospitalization; some who are ill worry that they may die.

Preparing Your Child for Visits to the Doctor (KidsHealth) [Accessed February 21, 2006]

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