OBJECTIVES:

We examined the effect of race, socioeconomic status, and health insurance status on the prevalence of overweight among children and adolescents.

METHODS:

We studied an observational cohort from the 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component.

RESULTS:

In the younger group, both Black and Latino children had a greater likelihood of being overweight compared with White children. Among the adolescent group, Latinos and Asian/Pacific Islanders were more likely to be overweight. Among adolescents, lacking health insurance and having public insurance were both positively associated with the prevalence of overweight. A relationship between insurance status and overweight was not observed for younger children.

CONCLUSIONS:

There are substantial racial differences in the prevalence of overweight for children and adolescents. Health insurance status is associated with the prevalence of overweight among adolescents.