Child Obesity by Neighborhood and Middle School

Child Obesity by Neighborhood, 2007-2010

Project Partner:  Austin Independent School District

Question/Topic: Where are the AISD students (Elementary, Middle and High School) who are at risk for obesity and related health problems?

Reports Released: Middle School 2008, 2009, and 2011, (Elementary school and high school reports to be released in 2012)  

This project was aimed at identifying concentrations of overweight and obese students by neighborhood to raise community awareness about the child obesity epidemic.  The data sources included the Austin ISD Student Demographic and FITNESSGRAM® data, the Austin Police Department Incident data (2009), the ESRI Select Business data 2008, and Capital Area Food Bank Distribution Site data.  In the first phase of this project COH mapped three consecutive years of data 07-08, 08-09, and 09-10 for Middle School students (reports available online).  In 2008, COH was proud to feature the 07-08 Middle School maps at a Summit where a diversity of stakeholders worked together to utilize COH maps to discuss actionable steps to reverse the child obesity trend in AISD neighborhoods.  Since 2008, this project has been used at community meetings in Dove Springs and various presentations across the city.  COH is currently mapping school years 08-09 and 09-10 for Elementary and High School students.