Title

The Effects of Maternal Employment on Childhood Obesity in the United States

Author(s)

Jackie Araneo Jackie Araneo (Princeton University)

Abstract

Childhood obesity is a growing problem in the United States. The Center for Disease Control (CDC), based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), reports that from 1971 to 2004, obesity rates have increased from 5% to 13.9% among two- to five-year-olds, from 4% to 18.8% among six- to eleven-year-olds, and from 6.1% to 17.4% among twelve- to nineteen-year-olds (CDC, 2007). Increases in childhood obesity have been especially pronounced among low-income children from racial and ethnic minority groups. This vast increase in the number of obese children is a major cause for alarm because of the many health problems associated with being overweight.

Creation Date

2008-04

Section URL ID

CRCW

Paper Number

WP08-13-FF.pdf

URL

https://fragilefamilies.princeton.edu/sites/fragilefamilies/files/wp08-13-ff.pdf

File Function

Jel

Keyword(s)

Suppress

false

Series

8