Statistical Modeling to Estimate Changes
in Energy Balance Needed to Reverse
the Epidemic of Obesity and Overweight
in Children and Youth in the United States

In this study we propose to follow the general methodology used by
Hill et al, and conduct parallel analyses for children and youth, using
repeated cross sections of data from NHANES and longitudinal data
from the National Longitudinal Study of Youth, child cohort (NLSY).
We will estimate changes in energy balance by estimating changes in
body weight among children and youth cohorts over time, taking into
account potential confounding influences such as changing age
distribution. We will make estimates for both the overall population,
by age group and gender, and by racial/ethnic group and for lower
and higher income groups.

Principal Investigators: Steven Gortmaker, PhD
Funder: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Funding Dates: October 2005 - September 2006