High Prevalence of Obesity Among Inner-City Adolescent Boys in the Bronx, New York: Forgetting Our Boys

Authors

Carmen R. Isasi, Yeshiva University
Amy Whiffen, Yeshiva University
Yolanda Florez, Yeshiva University
Katherine Freeman, Yeshiva University
Judith Wylie-Rosett, Yeshiva University
Eleanor Campbell, CUNY Lehman College

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

January 2011

Abstract

We examined sex differences in overweight and obesity in a sample of 1,619 inner-city adolescents. Participants were enrolled from 11 public schools in the Bronx, New York. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 21.7% and 22.5%, respectively; prevalence of obesity was significantly higher among adolescent boys than adolescent girls (24.9 vs 20.1%). Childhood obesity is a public health concern in the United States, and the higher prevalence of obesity in adolescent boys requires additional attention.

Comments

This work was originally published in Preventing Chronic Disease.