Colorado's Child Obesity Rate Rising Faster Than Nation's

Colorado's childhood obesity is increasing faster than in every other state but one, according to a report from Health Policy Solutions.

Despite reports last year that Colorado's overall obesity rate remained the lowest in the country at 19.1%, Colorado--like the rest of the country--appears to be headed in the wrong direction.

Citing National Survey of Children's Health numbers crunched by the Colorado Children's Campaign, Health Policy Solutions reports that childhood obesity in Colorado increased 23 percent between 2003 and 2007. That's the second fastest increase behind only Nevada.

The report squares with a 2010 study from the Colorado Department of Health and Environment (PDF) that determined Colorado's overall obesity rate--despite being the lowest in the country--had climbed faster than the national average from 1995 through 2008.

Partly in an effort to address childhood obesity, the Colorado Legislature is currently considering a bill that would require 30 minutes a day of physical activity at elementary schools.

The bill narrowly cleared committee this week.