Childhood Obesity Prevention

The percentage of Weld County children ages 5-14 years who are overweight or obese rose 8.3% in three years from 27.0% in 2015 to 35.3% in 2017. Though the percentage of Weld County children in this age group who are obese remained relatively stable — 15.1% in 2015 and 14.9% in 2017 — the percentage of children who are overweight increased significantly from 11.9% in 2015 to 20.4% in 2017. As of 2017, 9.9% of Weld County children ages 2-4 who are enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) are obese, higher than the Colorado average of 7.5%. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) can provide more information about the causes and consequences of childhood obesity, as well as how parents and caregivers can support children in achieving a healthy weight and establishing lifelong healthy habits.

The Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment (WCDPHE) is working to reverse this trend in early childhood obesity by intervening specifically in the following areas.

Breastfeeding and Health Promotion in the Workplace

Breastfeeding Support

The Health Department's Breastfeeding Support Program works to provide support for new mothers at their workplaces, child care providers, and in public venues.