National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
September 1 - September 30
About National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month is observed throughout September each year in the United States. Established by Presidential Proclamation in 2010 during the Obama administration, the campaign draws attention to childhood obesity as a significant public health issue, promotes preventive strategies, and encourages families, schools, and communities to take action to support healthy lifestyles for children and young people.
What is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month?
National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month is an annual September observance in the United States that raises awareness about childhood obesity, its health consequences, and the importance of early intervention. The campaign is supported by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Society for Nutrition, and numerous state and local health organisations. It focuses on practical, evidence-based strategies to help children maintain a healthy weight, including encouraging nutritious eating habits and regular physical activity.
The month also highlights the social and structural factors that contribute to childhood obesity, including limited access to healthy food, food insecurity, and barriers to safe outdoor activity in some communities. You might also find World Obesity Day useful for a broader global perspective on obesity prevention and advocacy.
When is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month?
National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month runs from Tuesday, 1 September to Wednesday, 30 September 2026. It is observed throughout the entire month of September each year in the United States and has been recognised annually since the Presidential Proclamation of 2010.
Why National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month Matters
Childhood obesity is one of the most significant public health challenges in the United States. According to current CDC data, approximately 21.1% of children and teenagers aged 2 to 19 in the US have obesity, a figure that reached a record high in 2024. Obesity rates rise with age: 12.7% of children aged 2 to 5 have obesity, rising to 20.7% among those aged 6 to 11 and 22.2% among adolescents aged 12 to 19.
Children with obesity face increased risks of developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnoea, and joint problems. They are also more likely to experience psychological difficulties, including low self-esteem and depression. The long-term consequences are serious: children with obesity are more likely to have obesity in adulthood, carrying those associated health risks through their lives.
The disparities in childhood obesity rates are stark. Non-Hispanic Black children experience obesity at a rate of 24.8%, and non-Hispanic Black girls have the highest rate of any demographic subgroup at 30.8%. Hispanic children are also disproportionately affected. These disparities reflect broader social inequalities, including unequal access to healthy food, safe recreational spaces, and quality healthcare.
How to Get Involved
- Encourage 60 minutes of daily physical activity: The CDC recommends that children aged 6 to 17 get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day.
- Improve access to nutritious food at home: Focus on increasing fruit, vegetable, and whole grain consumption while reducing sugary drinks, processed snacks, and oversized portions.
- Support school-based health initiatives: Engage with your local school to support healthy canteen menus, daily physical education, and wellness policies.
- Reduce screen time: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting recreational screen time to no more than two hours per day for children over five.
- Advocate for healthier community environments: Support local initiatives that improve access to parks, safe walking routes, and affordable healthy food, particularly in underserved areas.
- Share on social media: Use the hashtag #ChildhoodObesityAwarenessMonth to share tips, statistics, and resources from the CDC throughout September 2026.
History of National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month was formally established by Presidential Proclamation in September 2010, during the Obama administration. The proclamation came at a time when childhood obesity rates in the United States had reached historically high levels, having more than tripled since the 1970s.
The proclamation coincided with the Let’s Move! initiative, launched by then-First Lady Michelle Obama earlier in 2010. Let’s Move! was a comprehensive national campaign aimed at reducing childhood obesity within a generation through improved school nutrition, increased physical education, better food labelling, and greater access to healthy foods in underserved communities. The campaign drew significant national attention to childhood obesity and helped cement September as the key month for awareness activities.
Since 2010, the CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity has continued to support the observance, providing toolkits, resources, and data to help organisations and individuals take part.
Noteworthy Facts
- Approximately 21.1% of US children and teenagers aged 2 to 19 have obesity, a rate that reached a record high in 2024 according to CDC data.
- Non-Hispanic Black girls have the highest obesity rate of any demographic subgroup in the US, at 30.8%.
- Children with obesity are more likely to have obesity in adulthood, carrying associated health risks throughout their lives.
- National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month was established by Presidential Proclamation in 2010 and has been observed every September since.
- The CDC recommends that children aged 6 to 17 get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month?
National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month is an annual September observance in the United States, established by Presidential Proclamation in 2010. It raises awareness about childhood obesity, promotes preventive strategies, and encourages families, schools, and communities to support healthy lifestyles for children.
When is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month in 2026?
It runs from Tuesday, 1 September to Wednesday, 30 September 2026.
Hashtags
#ChildhoodObesityAwarenessMonth | #ChildhoodObesityAwarenessMonth2026
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