The tables and graphs in this chartbook were created using data collected by Camden Public Schools for the school year 2008-2009. Rutgers Center for State Health Policy obtained de-identified data from the schools and computed a BMI score and a BMI percentile (BMIPCT) for each child. Weight status is defined using the following BMIPCT categories.

BMIPCT

BMIPCT < 85

BMIPCT ~ 85

BMIPCT ~ 95

BMIPCT ~ 97

Weight Status

Not Overweight or Obese

Overweight and Obese

Obese

Very Obese

BMIPCT categories are presented at the city level and in sub-group analysis by age, gender, and race. Aggregate data are also presented at the school level, with notation, where representativeness of the data was a concern.

Tables and graphs on pages 5, 7, 9, and 11 show comparisons with national estimates (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007-2008). The national data are representative of all 2-19 year old children in the US.

Each graph and table is accompanied by brief summary statements. Readers are encouraged to review the actual data presented in tables and graphs as there is much more detail.

The New Jersey Childhood Obesity Study was designed to provide vital information for planning, implementing, and evaluating interventions aimed at preventing childhood obesity in five New Jersey municipalities: Camden, Newark, New Brunswick, Trenton, and Vineland. These five communities are being supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids program to plan and implement policy and environmental change strategies to prevent childhood obesity. Effective interventions for addressing childhood obesity require community-specific information on

who is most at risk and on contributing factors that can be addressed through tailored interventions that meet the needs of the community. Based on comprehensive research, a series of reports are being prepared for each community to assist in planning effective interventions.

The main components of the study were:

• A household telephone survey of 1700 families with 3–18 year old children,

• De-identified heights and weights measured at public schools,

• Assessment of the food and physical activity environments using objective data.

This report presents the results from the household survey. Reports based on school body mass index (BMI) data and food and physical activity environment data are available at www.cshp.rutgers.edu/childhoodobesity.htm.