Marilyn M. Gardner, PhD, Department of Public Health, Western Kentucky University, 1 Big Red Way, STH 410E, Bowling Green, KY 42101, 270.745.5864, marilyn.gardner@wku.edu and Elizabeth E. Siddens, BA, Health Information Branch, Barren River District Health Department, P.O. Box 1157, Bowling Green, KY 42102-1157.

The prevalence of childhood overweight is on the rise. National and statewide data, however, do not accurately reflect what is being observed in south-central Kentucky. If effective interventions and community-wide change are to be effected, it is imperative that the scope of the problem be carefully characterized.

To this end, point-prevalence data were collected from kindergarten and sixth grade school health physical forms in four rural counties in this region. The data collected from the school files -- age at physical, gender, height, and weight – were plotted on CDC growth charts to determine the proportion of children who are at risk for overweight (85th – 94th percentile) and overweight (95th percentile and above).

Data collected in the 2003 school year revealed rates far exceeding national averages: More than one-third of kindergarteners students and close to one-half of sixth graders were at or above the 85th percentile. Further, the majority of these students – 67% and 61% respectively – were at or above the 95th percentile.

Additionally, there trend data were collected from 6th graders from the year 2000 through present. These data have been used to develop collaborative relationships and coalitions between public health, schools, physicians, and other community groups. This process, lessons learned, and future directions will be discussed in addition to the prevalence and trend data.

Learning Objectives:

• At the end of the presentation, participants will be able to desribe ways in which to build capacity between public heatlth and public schools to address the issue of childhood overweight.
• At the end of the presentation, participants will be able to describe BMI trends among sixth grade and kindergarten students in the study population.
• At the end of the presentation, participants will brainstorm strategies for change to address BMI trends noted between the two age cohorts.

Keywords: Child/Adolescent, Obesity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.