### Severe Obesity Trends Among Preschool-Age Children in Low-Income Families in the U.S. Severe obesity among preschool-age children from low-income families is increasing in the U.S., according to a new analysis of federal data. In 2020, an estimated 2% of children aged 2 to 4 years old had severe obesity, up from 1.8% in 2016. This increase, although small, is significant and reflects broader trends in the general population. About 20% of children and teens in the U.S. are obese, and around 42% of adults are obese. Severe obesity is defined as being well above the 95th percentile for body mass index (BMI). This condition in young children can lead to serious health issues later in life, such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, and even premature death. The study found that the largest increases in severe obesity from 2016 to 2020 were among 4-year-olds and Hispanic children. Alaska was the only state to report a decline in severe obesity among young children during this period. The data was collected from children enrolled in the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which provides healthy foods, nutrition education, and healthcare referrals to low-income families. The findings highlight the need for ongoing monitoring of children's health, especially post-pandemic, and underscore the importance of early clinical detection and family-based interventions to support healthy growth in children from low-income households.