An initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Explore State Data

Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, 13.1% of youth ages 10 to 17 have obesity, giving Massachusetts a ranking of 7 among the 50 states and D.C. This page includes Massachusetts data in four areas: the latest data on obesity, diabetes, and hypertension; how federal nutrition policies impact Massachusetts; health behaviors and outcomes among high school students; and policies enacted by Massachusetts 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)

628,000

Massachusetts SNAP: Number of people eligible in SNAP in FY 2020* Because the Coronavirus COVID-19 public health emergency affected data collection starting in March 2020, this summary covers only the pre-pandemic period of October 2019 through February 2020.

100% SNAP: Percentage of elgible people who participated in FY 2020*.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) -- Children

228,000

Massachusetts SNAP Participation: Number Children in SNAP in FY 2020* Because the Coronavirus COVID-19 public health emergency affected data collection starting in March 2020, this summary covers only the pre-pandemic period of October 2019 through February 2020.

31.10% SNAP Participation: Percent Children in FY 2020* Because the Coronavirus COVID-19 public health emergency affected data collection starting in March 2020, this summary covers only the pre-pandemic period of October 2019 through February 2020.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - White

55.90%

Massachusetts SNAP Participation: White SNAP-White head of household in FY 2020* Because the Coronavirus COVID-19 public health emergency affected data collection starting in March 2020, this summary covers only the pre-pandemic period of October 2019 through February 2020.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - African-American

12.30%

Massachusetts SNAP Participation: African American SNAP-African-American head of household in FY 2020* Because the Coronavirus COVID-19 public health emergency affected data collection starting in March 2020, this summary covers only the pre-pandemic period of October 2019 through February 2020.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - Hispanic

22.10%

Massachusetts SNAP Participation: Hispanic SNAP-Hispanic head of household in FY 2020* Because the Coronavirus COVID-19 public health emergency affected data collection starting in March 2020, this summary covers only the pre-pandemic period of October 2019 through February 2020.

Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)

70,530

Massachusetts Summer Food Service Program: Average Daily Attendance SFSP in FY 2022 Preliminary.

Head Start

11,739

Massachusetts Head Start - total number of funded slots in Head Start in FY 2022.

52% Head Start - percentage of eligibile children ages 3-5 who had access to a slot in 2020.

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

115,589

Massachusetts Women, Infants, and Children Program: Total Participation in WIC in FY 2022.

60.60% Women, Infants, and Children Program: Coverage Rates in 2020.

Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

69,348

Massachusetts Child and Adult Care Food Prgram: Average Daily Attendance in CACFP in FY 2022 Preliminary.

28,088,670 Child and Adult Care Food Program: Total Meals Served in FY 2022 Preliminary.

National School Lunch Program (NSLP)

43.80%

Massachusetts Percentage of public school students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in NSLP in 2021-2022.

32.8% Percentage of students eligible for free/reduced-price lunch in 2019-2020.

Food Insecurity (CFI)

8.40%

Massachusetts Food Insecurity among Child (<18 years) Population in the United States in CFI in 2021.

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
53.5%
53.5%
Physically active at least 60 minutes
16.5%
16.5%
High Computer Usage
0%
0%
High TV Watching
0%
0%
High Soda Consumption
8.9%
8.9%
No Breakfast
17.4%
17.4%
Low Fruit Consumption
7.2%
7.2%
Low Vegetable Consumption
8.1%
8.1%

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