LAS VEGAS (AP) - A new report from the University of Nevada, Las
Vegas shows that nearly half of Nevada's children aren't at a
healthy weight when they enter kindergarten.
The report issued Wednesday found 31 percent of the state's new
kindergartners are overweight or obese, while 15 percent are
underweight.
The results come from the fourth annual Kindergarten Health
Survey conducted by UNLV's Nevada Institute for Children's Research
and Policy. It gathers information such as children's insurance
status, access to health care and eating habits.
Researchers found twelve percent of the children aren't covered
by health insurance. They also noted more kindergartners are using
public insurance such as Medicaid, while fewer are using private
insurance.
The study found more children have a doctor, and more are
receiving dental care than in years past.
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