A report from the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) shows a gradual progress with childhood obesity in the state.
This findings highlights the need of the department for a sustainable investment in children’s health and physical activity.
The data was obtained from nearly 4,600 students at 49 schools across 15 counties in the fall of 2025 and found obesity rate on kindergarteners rose from 17.3% to 18.6%.
Meanwhile, the obesity rate among third graders increased from 24.1 to 26.7% and boys’ obesity rate were 5.4% higher than girls.
According to Gina DeBlassie, cabinet secretary for the NMDOH, obesity is a complex, serious public health concern with multiple contributing factors such as poverty.
“Obesity is a complex, serious public health concern with multiple contributing factors, including poverty, food insecurity, and a lack of infrastructure for safe physical activity,” she said.
She reassures New Mexicans that NMDOH continues its investments in developing a healthy eating and activity habits in early childhood and elementary school.
“A trend we see is obesity rates rising significantly between kindergarten and third grade, which is why NMDOH continues to invest in developing healthy eating and activity habits in early childhood and elementary school.” she added.
NMDOH’s Obesity, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Program and its Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities program work with schools and communities statewide to expand access to healthy food and safe physical activity.
Initiatives include school and community gardens, farmers’ markets, and safe walking and biking routes.