A: Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents between 1980 and 2012. During this time period, the percentage of children aged 6–11 years in the United States who were obese increased from 7% to nearly 18%. Similarly, the percentage of adolescents aged 12–19 years who were obese increased from 5% to nearly 21%.
Source:
NCHS. Health, United States, 2010: With Special Feature on Death and Dying. Hyattsville, MD. 2011
NCHS. Health, United States, 2013: With Special Feature on Prescription Drugs. Hyattsville, MD. 2014