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Explore State Data
North Carolina
In North Carolina, 17.3% of youth ages 10 to 17 have obesity, giving North Carolina a ranking of 33 among the 50 states and D.C. This page includes North Carolina data in four areas: the latest data on obesity, diabetes, and hypertension; how federal nutrition policies impact North Carolina; health behaviors and outcomes among high school students; and policies enacted by North Carolina to support health and prevent obesity.
Rates, Ranks, and Trends
Several federal datasets provide the latest health information for children, adolescents, and adults. Below are the current obesity rates among various age groups, the diabetes and hypertension rates for adults, rankings among all states, and trends over time.
14.1%
Obesity Rate
26 of 51 North Carolina rank
17.3%
Obesity Rate
33 of 51 North Carolina rank
15.4%
Obesity Rate
17 of 51 North Carolina rank
32.1%
Obesity Rate
32 of 51 North Carolina rank
11.8%
Obesity Rate
16 of 51 North Carolina rank
35.1%
Obesity Rate
16 of 51 North Carolina rank
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.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
1,449,000
North Carolina 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.
74% SNAP: Percentage of elgible people who participated in FY 2020*.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) -- Children
534,000
North Carolina 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.
44.70% 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
47.90%
North Carolina 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
43.30%
North Carolina 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
1.80%
North Carolina 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)
150,476
North Carolina Summer Food Service Program: Average Daily Attendance SFSP in FY 2022 Preliminary.
Head Start
21,538
North Carolina Head Start - total number of funded slots in Head Start in FY 2022.
19% Head Start - percentage of eligibile children ages 3-5 who had access to a slot in 2020.
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
258,767
North Carolina Women, Infants, and Children Program: Total Participation in WIC in FY 2022.
56.00% Women, Infants, and Children Program: Coverage Rates in 2020.
Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
107,399
North Carolina Child and Adult Care Food Prgram: Average Daily Attendance in CACFP in FY 2022 Preliminary.
53,645,160 Child and Adult Care Food Program: Total Meals Served in FY 2022 Preliminary.
National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
50.80%
North Carolina Percentage of public school students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in NSLP in 2021-2022.
57.8% Percentage of students eligible for free/reduced-price lunch in 2019-2020.
Food Insecurity (CFI)
15.40%
North Carolina 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
0%
0%
Physically active at least 60 minutes
23.6%
23.6%
High Computer Usage
0%
0%
High TV Watching
0%
0%
High Soda Consumption
21%
21%
No Breakfast
24%
24%
Low Fruit Consumption
8.3%
8.3%
Low Vegetable Consumption
8.8%
8.8%
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