In NYC, obesity in preschoolers down

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ATLANTA, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- In New York City, from 2003 to 2011, obesity decreased among blacks, whites and Hispanics, but increased among Asians, health officials say.

Obesity prevalence among low-income, preschool-age children enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children in New York City was tracked from 2003 to 2011.

The findings, published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, said the number of children ages 3-4 participating in WIC in New York City each year ranged from 53,247 in 2003 to 67,428 in 2011.

Height and weight measures of WIC participants were taken every six months by WIC staff members trained according to standard protocols, or measures are taken at physicians' offices within 60 days of the WIC certification visit.

The report said from 2003 to 2009, the prevalence of obesity decreased among New York City WIC-enrolled children ages 3-4 from 18.9 percent to 15.1 percent and from 19.9 percent to 17.2 percent, respectively.