Explore State Data

Tennessee

In Tennessee, 22.5% of youth ages 10 to 17 have obesity, giving Tennessee a ranking of 5 among the 50 states and D.C. This page includes Tennessee data in four areas: the latest data on obesity, diabetes, and hypertension; how federal nutrition policies impact Tennessee; health behaviors and outcomes among high school students; and policies enacted by Tennessee 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.

Children ages 2-4 participating in WIC

14.6%

Obesity Rate

22 of 51 Tennessee state rank

Children ages 10-17

22.5%

Obesity Rate

5 of 51 Tennessee state rank

High School Students

20.9%

Obesity Rate

4 of 51 Tennessee state rank

Adults

35%

Obesity Rate

19 of 51 Tennessee state rank

Adults with Diabetes

13.8%

Obesity Rate

4 of 51 Tennessee state rank

Adults with Hypertension

39.3%

Obesity Rate

4 of 51 Tennessee state 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.

Visit full interactive with child nutrition policy data

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

820,910

Tennessee Number of residents participating in SNAP in May 2022.

90% Percentage of eligible residents participating in 2018.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) -- Children

414,000

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

43.60% Percentage of participants who are children in FY 2018.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - White

16.00%

Tennessee 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

10.30%

Tennessee 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

0.10%

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

Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)

54,788

Tennessee Number of children participating SFSP in FY 2021.

Head Start

14,580

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

46% Percentage of eligible children ages 3-5 who had access to Head Start in 2020.

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

112,207

Tennessee Number of residents participating in WIC in FY 2021.

43.00% Percentage of eligible residents participating in 2016.

Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

85,537

Tennessee Number of students participating in CACFP in FY 2021.

33,018,748 Total meals served annually in FY 2021.

National School Lunch Program (NSLP)

658,690

Tennessee 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.

58.8% Percentage of students eligible for free/reduced-price lunch in 2019-2020.

Food Insecurity (CFI)

17.70%

Tennessee 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

79.8%

Physically active at least 60 minutes

21.6%

High Computer Usage

44.5%

High TV Watching

23.5%

High Soda Consumption

25%

No Breakfast

16.9%

Low Fruit Consumption

11.1%

Low Vegetable Consumption

11%

State Policy Data

In addition to federal policies, states have many of their own policies to make it easier for children to grow up healthy. Below is a selection of policies some states have enacted to support health.

77.3%

Percentage of eligible schools in the state adopting the community eligibility provision

State has regulations requiring licensed ECE programs to make drinking water available to children

Licensing regulations only

State has licensing laws linked to the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) standards that automatically update

State requires elementary school students to participate in physical education

Requires P.E. in elementary school

State requires high school students to participate in physical education

Requires P.E. in high school

State requires middle school students to participate in physical education

Requires P.E. in middle school

State has statutes or regulations on Safe Routes to School

State has adopted a complete streets policy

State adopted CS Policy and has mandatory requirements with clear action and intent

State has healthy food financing funding

Tennessee has received federal funding, and is part of a regional program, the Mid South Healthy Food Initiative.

State has laws preempting local policies related to nutrition

State Policies to Prevent Obesity

Early Childhood	U.S.	Tennessee
Breastfeeding State has regulations requiring licensed ECE programs to allow or encourage onsite breastfeeding	22 + D.C.		View all states
Defined Physical Activity State has set a definition for physical activity in ECE settings	9 + D.C.		View all states
Drinking Water State has regulations requiring licensed ECE programs to make drinking water available to children	43		View all states
Healthy Eating State has regulations requiring licensed ECE programs to have healthy eating policies	50 + D.C.		View all states
Link to CACFP Updates State has licensing laws linked to the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) standards that automatically update	23 + D.C.		View all states
Nutrition Standards State has regulations requiring licensed ECE programs to provide meals and snacks that meet dietary guidelines	26 + D.C.		View all states
Physical Activity State has regulations requiring licensed ECE programs to have time for daily physical activity	50 + D.C.		View all states
Private Breastfeeding Space State has regulations requiring licensed ECE programs to have a private space available for mothers to breastfeed infants	4 + D.C.		View all states
Screen Time State sets limits for screen time in ECE settings, or has regulations requiring ECE centers to set limits.	29 + D.C.		View all states
Schools	U.S.	Tennessee
Elementary School Physical Education State requires elementary school students to participate in physical education	38 + D.C.		View all states
High School Physical Education State requires high school students to participate in physical education	42 + D.C.		View all states
Middle School Physical Education State requires middle school students to participate in physical education	36 + D.C.		View all states
PE Time Requirement, Elementary Schools State requires elementary school students to participate in a minimum amount of time of physical education	18 + D.C.		View all states
PE Time Requirement, High Schools State requires high school students to participate in a minimum amount of time of physical education	6		View all states
PE Time Requirement, Middle Schools State requires middle school students to participate in a minimum amount of time of physical education	14 + D.C.		View all states
Recess State requires recess in elementary schools	5		View all states
Safe Routes to Schools State has statutes or regulations on Safe Routes to School	16		View all states
Shared Use of Facilities State has policy for communities to access school recreational facilities outside school hours.	36 + D.C.		View all states
Community Eligibility Provision Percentage of eligible schools in the state adopting the community eligibility provision	77.3%		View all states
Farm-to-School Programs Percentage of school districts in the state participating in farm-to-school activities	51%		View all states
School Nutrition Standards Percentage of school food authorities in state meeting updated meal nutrition standards	99.9%		View all states
Community	U.S.	Tennessee
Complete Streets State has adopted a complete streets policy	33 + D.C.		View all states
Healthy Food Financing Initiatives State has healthy food financing funding	37 + D.C.		View all states
Preemption State has laws preempting local policies related to nutrition	9		View all states
Child Food Insecurity Rate Percentage of children in state that are food insecure	21.1%		View all states
Overall Food Insecurity Rate Percentage of the state population that is food insecure	15.4%		View all states
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Percentage of state residents participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)	17.0%		View all states

Explore State Data

Tennessee

Rates, Ranks, and Trends

Adults with Diabetes

Adults with Hypertension

Childhood Nutrition Data

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

820,910

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) -- Children

414,000

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - White

16.00%

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - African-American

10.30%

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - Hispanic

0.10%

Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)

54,788

Head Start

14,580

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

112,207

Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

85,537

National School Lunch Program (NSLP)

658,690

Food Insecurity (CFI)

17.70%

High Schooler Health Data

Low P.E. Participation

Physically active at least 60 minutes

High Computer Usage

High TV Watching

High Soda Consumption

No Breakfast

Low Fruit Consumption

Low Vegetable Consumption

State Policy Data

Percentage of eligible schools in the state adopting the community eligibility provision

State has regulations requiring licensed ECE programs to make drinking water available to children

State has licensing laws linked to the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) standards that automatically update

State requires elementary school students to participate in physical education

State requires high school students to participate in physical education

State requires middle school students to participate in physical education

State has statutes or regulations on Safe Routes to School

State has adopted a complete streets policy

State has healthy food financing funding

State has laws preempting local policies related to nutrition

Childhood Obesity in Tennessee New Data

2- to 4-year-old WIC participants

Current obesity rate (2016)

Rank among states (2016)

10- to 17-year-olds

Current obesity rate (2019-2020)

Rank among states (2019-2020)

High school students

Current obesity rate (2019)

Rank among states (2019)

Childhood Obesity Stories: Tennessee

Adult Obesity in Tennessee New Data

Obesity Rate (2019)

Rank Among States (2019)

Obesity rate by age (2018)

Obesity rate by race (2018)

Obesity rate by gender (2018)

Obesity-Related Health Issues in Tennessee New Data

Diabetes:

Current adult diabetes rate (2019)

Rank among states (2019)

Diabetes cases in 2010

Projected cases of diabetes in 2030 at current pace

Historical adult diabetes rates (1990-2019)

Hypertension:

Current adult hypertension rate (2019)

Rank among states (2019)

Hypertension cases in 2010

Projected cases of hypertension in 2030 at current pace

Historical adult hypertension rates (1990-2019)

Heart Disease:

Heart disease cases in 2010