Defining and classifying diseases and risks linked to childhood obesity

Since 2004, the Foundation has supported the creation and maintenance of a longitudinal database on Arkansas school children's body mass indices (BMIs). This database has revealed that ambitious school policies in Arkansas may have halted the epidemic of childhood obesity in the state and has demonstrated a link between childhood overweight and a wide variety of medical conditions. This project will: (1) extend data collection and maintenance for an additional three years; (2) link Medicaid records to individual children's BMI for an additional three years; and (3) develop a variety of policy-relevant analyses using the entire six years of children's BMI and Medicaid records. One such analysis will be a revised risk classification for childhood overweight, intended to move policy on prevention of childhood obesity. Such a risk classification system exists for adults, but not children. The risk classification will also stimulate action by clinicians, in the same way that risk classification has done in combating health conditions such as hypertension, cholesterol and asthma. The project will be considered successful if policy-relevant analyses are developed and if six years of data permit RWJF to monitor and report the trend in Arkansas children's BMI. The project deliverables will include annual reports on Arkansas children's BMI, annual reports on the linkage between children's overweight and Medicaid reimbursable conditions, and a risk classification system for use by, and distribution to, clinicians.

Grant Details

Amount Awarded $2,312,184.00

Awarded on: 12/28/2006

Time frame: 12/1/2006 - 11/30/2010

Grant Number: 57821