New Childhood Obesity Data from Practice Fusion's Research Division

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Practice Fusion's Research Division released data today on pediatric BMI, highlighting the scope of the childhood obesity epidemic as the nation's children head back to school.  States with the highest sample childhood BMI rates include Texas, New Jersey, California, Florida and Tennessee. The percentage of overweight children nationwide is growing at an alarming rate, with 1 out of 3 kids now overweight or obese based on findings from the company's national health research dataset.

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Key pediatric obesity facts:

• 35 percent of children age 3-18 were overweight or obese, according to Practice Fusion's Research Division.
• 19 percent of children have a BMI in the 95th percentile (obese)
• Boys are more obese than girls at 21 percent vs. 18 percent
• Children age 9 to 11 are most obese
• Since 1980, obesity prevalence among children and adolescents has almost tripled (CDC)
• September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
• Click here to view the Pediatric BMI Infographic

"As a practicing family physician, I see the signs of the childhood obesity epidemic directly in my exam room every day," said Robert Rowley, MD, Practice Fusion's Chief Medical Officer. "New health technology, including Electronic Medical Record systems, can be a powerful tool in helping us identify and target the causes of childhood obesity across the U.S.  We want to eliminate this generation's problem of childhood obesity."

Researchers interested in using the pediatric BMI dataset to identify key correlations in the rise of obesity, including factors such as cuts in school sports programs, changes in diet and prevalence of fast food, are invited to contact Practice Fusion's Research Division for more information.  National health data from EMR systems can be a vital tool for evaluating trends and improving public health policies, programs and services.

All research information utilized by Practice Fusion is fully de-identified and compliant with HIPAA cfr 164.514. More information can be found at www.practicefusion.com/research.

About Practice Fusion's Research Division

Practice Fusion's Research Division provides information from one of the largest, longitudinal clinical databases in the US for the purposes of clinical research and public health analysis. With a focus on real-time insight into adverse drug reactions, disease outbreaks and other national health issues, Practice Fusion's Research Division powers studies that are providing new insight into healthcare and how it is delivered. All research information utilized is fully de-identified and compliant with HIPAA cfr 164.514. For more information, please visit www.practicefusion.com/research.

Press Contact:
Helen Phung
[email protected]
415.992.7726

SOURCE Practice Fusion