The Department of Health’s 2008-09 School Height and Weight Report was issued November 2009.

Among the report’s findings:

• Of the 40,000+ students (ages 5-19) in the study, a total of 33.6 percent were considered “overweight” or “obese” in 2008-09.

• There was a slight increase in the “overweight” category from 16.8 percent in 2007-08 to 17 percent in 2008-09.

• There was a slight increase in the “obese” category from 16.3 percent in 2007-08 to 16.6 percent in 2008-09.

To view the entire report, visit the Department of Health’s Web site at http://doh.sd.gov/SchoolWeight/default.aspx. Click on the 2008-09 Report or Summary.