An initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Explore State Data

Iowa

In Iowa, 16.9% of youth ages 10 to 17 have obesity, giving Iowa a ranking of 18 among the 50 states and D.C. This page includes Iowa data in four areas: the latest data on obesity, diabetes, and hypertension; how federal nutrition policies impact Iowa; health behaviors and outcomes among high school students; and policies enacted by Iowa 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)

278,713

Iowa Number of residents participating in in 2022.

74% Percentage of eligible residents participating in 2018.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) -- Children

144,000

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

43.4% Percentage of participants who are children in 2018.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - White

55.5%

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

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - African-American

11.50%

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

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - Hispanic

1.0%

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

Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)

63,610

Iowa Number of students participating in 2021.

Head Start

5,656

Iowa Number of children participating in in 2019.

36% Percentage of eligible children participating in 2019.

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

58,807

Iowa Number of residents participating in in 2021.

45.8% Percentage of eligible residents participating in 2019.

Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

42,130

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

22,772,642 Total meals served annually in 2021.

National School Lunch Program (NSLP)

12,181

Iowa Number of children participating in in 2021.

42% Percentage of students eligible for free/reduced-price lunch in 2019-2020.

Food Insecurity (CFI)

10%

Iowa 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
87.9%
87.9%
Physically active at least 60 minutes
25.7%
25.7%
High Computer Usage
39.6%
39.6%
High TV Watching
20.3%
20.3%
High Soda Consumption
17.6%
17.6%
No Breakfast
15.9%
15.9%
Low Fruit Consumption
7.1%
7.1%
Low Vegetable Consumption
8%
8%