<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602874138923.png" alt="The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation reports Kansas residents ages 10 to 17 have an obesity rate of 10.6%, which is statistically lower than the national average and ranks 47th among the states and District of Columbia. This image is of the floor map in the Kansas Capitol. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation reports Kansas residents ages 10 to 17 have an obesity rate of 10.6%, which is statistically lower than the national average and ranks 47th among the states and District of Columbia. This image is of the floor map in the Kansas Capitol. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/report-kansas-obesity-rate-at-10-6-for-youth-ages-10-to-17/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The Kansas 
obesity rate for youth 10 to 17 years of age tied for third lowest in 
the nation at 10.6%, a national report said last week.The Robert Wood Johnson 
Foundation’s analysis shows the rate in Kansas ranked 47th among the 
states and District of Columbia. The national average stood at 15.5% for
 this age group. On a national scale, based on a 2018-2019 health 
survey, one in seven youth were obese.Comparable rates in states
 surrounding Kansas: Colorado, 10.9%; Nebraska, 11.5%; Missouri, 16.3% 
and Oklahoma, 18.8%. The nation’s highest rate was in Kentucky at 23.8%,
 while the lowest was in Utah at 9.6%.The foundation said the 
latest assessment of obesity affirmed racial, ethnic and economic 
disparities persist. Black, Hispanic and Native American children have 
significantly higher obesity rates than white or Asian children. Young 
people in households making less than the federal poverty level are more
 than twice as likely to have obesity as those at the top of the income 
ladder.“This year, we’ve also 
seen people of color and people with low incomes hit hardest by the 
COVID-19 pandemic,” said Jamie Bussel, who leads the foundation’s effort
 to prevent childhood obesity. “The COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing 
economic recession have worsened many of the broader factors we know 
contribute to obesity, including poverty and health disparities.”The foundation said levels
 of obesity in Kansas ranged from 12.5% among 2-4 year olds; 10.6% for 
10-17 year olds; 13.1% among high school students; and 34.4% with 
adults.Congress should provide 
additional funding to account for an enrollment surge in the 
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the foundation said. The 
organization recommended lawmakers sustain broadened access to school 
meal programs through the 2020-2021 year and extend reach of the Special
 Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or 
WIC.Tim Carpenter has reported on Kansas for 35 years. He covered the Capitol for 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal and previously worked for the Lawrence Journal-World and United Press International.&nbsp;

Report: Kansas obesity rate at 10.6% for youth ages 10 to 17