An initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Explore State Data

Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, 16% of youth ages 10 to 17 have obesity, giving Pennsylvania a ranking of 28 among the 50 states and D.C. This page includes Pennsylvania data in four areas: the latest data on obesity, diabetes, and hypertension; how federal nutrition policies impact Pennsylvania; health behaviors and outcomes among high school students; and policies enacted by Pennsylvania 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)

1,842,970

Pennsylvania Number of residents participating in SNAP in May 2022.

99% Percentage of eligible residents participating in 2018.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) -- Children

629,000

Pennsylvania Number of participating residents who are children in SNAP-Children in FY 2018.

35.20% Percentage of participants who are children in FY 2018.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - White

59.20%

Pennsylvania Percentage of participating households where the head of household is White SNAP-White head of household in FY 2018.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - African-American

26.40%

Pennsylvania Percentage of participating households where the head of household is African-American SNAP-African-American head of household in FY 2018.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - Hispanic

0.60%

Pennsylvania Percentage of participating households where the head of household is Hispanic SNAP-Hispanic head of household in FY 2018.

Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)

90,506

Pennsylvania Number of children participating SFSP in FY 2021.

Head Start

24,836

Pennsylvania Number of funded Head Start slots in Head Start in 2020.

38% Percentage of eligible children ages 3-5 who had access to Head Start in 2020.

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

167,969

Pennsylvania Number of residents participating in WIC in FY 2021.

51.60% Percentage of eligible residents participating in 2016.

Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

93,501

Pennsylvania Number of students participating in CACFP in FY 2021.

47,708,248 Total meals served annually in FY 2021.

National School Lunch Program (NSLP)

997,633

Pennsylvania In recent years, schools have greatly improved the nutritional quality of the meals they offer to students. Research shows school meals help reduce obesity, hunger and food insecurity. The table below shows the percentage of students eligibile for free or reduced price lunch, as well as the number of students who participate in the school lunch program. in NSLP in FY 2022.

50.7% Percentage of students eligible for free/reduced-price lunch in 2019-2020.

Food Insecurity (CFI)

15.10%

Pennsylvania 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
73.9%
73.9%
Physically active at least 60 minutes
25.4%
25.4%
High Computer Usage
49.4%
49.4%
High TV Watching
19.4%
19.4%
High Soda Consumption
13.6%
13.6%
No Breakfast
15.7%
15.7%
Low Fruit Consumption
6.4%
6.4%
Low Vegetable Consumption
7.9%
7.9%