An initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Explore State Data

Arkansas

In Arkansas, 20.6% of youth ages 10 to 17 have obesity, giving Arkansas a ranking of 7 among the 50 states and D.C. This page includes Arkansas data in four areas: the latest data on obesity, diabetes, and hypertension; how federal nutrition policies impact Arkansas; health behaviors and outcomes among high school students; and policies enacted by Arkansas to support health and prevent obesity.

Childhood Nutrition Data

National programs and policies can make it easier for children to access healthier foods and beverages. The number of children participating in each of these programs varies from state to state. See participation numbers and rates below, or visit the full interactive feature.

Visit full interactive with child nutrition policy data

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

295,010

Arkansas Number of residents participating in in 2022.

77% Percentage of eligible residents participating in 2018.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) -- Children

172,000

Arkansas Number of participating residents who are children in in 2018.

47.2% Percentage of participants who are children in 2018.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - White

55.3%

Arkansas Percentage of participating households where the head of household is White in 2018.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - African-American

38.20%

Arkansas Percentage of participating households where the head of household is African-American in 2018.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - Hispanic

1.7%

Arkansas Percentage of participating households where the head of household is Hispanic in 2018.

Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)

12,133

Arkansas Number of students participating in 2021.

Head Start

6,409

Arkansas Number of children participating in in 2019.

42% Percentage of eligible children participating in 2019.

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

50,751

Arkansas Number of residents participating in in 2021.

55.8% Percentage of eligible residents participating in 2019.

Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

55,660

Arkansas Number of students participating, by state in CACFP in 2021.

32,068,037 Total meals served annually in 2021.

National School Lunch Program (NSLP)

221,289

Arkansas Number of children participating in in 2021.

65.5% Percentage of students eligible for free/reduced-price lunch in 2019-2020.

Food Insecurity (CFI)

17%

Arkansas Percentage of children who are food insecure in CFI in 2018.

High Schooler Health Data

The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) surveys high school students to better understand a variety of health issues and behaviors. This feature includes data related to obesity, nutrition, and physical activity.

Visit full interactive with data on nutrition behaviors among high school students

Visit full interactive with data on physical activity behaviors among high school students

Low P.E. Participation
83.3%
83.3%
Physically active at least 60 minutes
22.7%
22.7%
High Computer Usage
45.5%
45.5%
High TV Watching
22.8%
22.8%
High Soda Consumption
23.6%
23.6%
No Breakfast
16.7%
16.7%
Low Fruit Consumption
12.3%
12.3%
Low Vegetable Consumption
12.2%
12.2%