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A Project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Data
National Obesity Monitor
National childhood obesity rate and adult obesity rate data. The feature also illustrate trends over time, including by age group, sex, and race and ethnicity, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
Adults
39.5%
Mississippi and West Virginia have the highest adult obesity rates, 39.5%, according to the latest Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
10-17 Year Olds
15.3%
The latest National Survey of Children’s Health finds that 15.3% of U.S. youth ages 10 to 17 have obesity.
2-4 Year Olds
13.9%
The rate of obesity declined from 15.9% in 2010 to 13.9% in 2016 among 2- to 4-year-olds enrolled in WIC.
High School Students
14.8%
14.8% of U.S. high school students have obesity and an additional 15.6% are overweight, according to the latest data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System.
Policies
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
Dietary Guidelines
Food Marketing to Children
Head Start and Early Head Start
Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Standards in Early Care and Education
Healthy Food Financing Initiative
Menu Labeling
Nutrition Facts Labeling
Physical Education and Physical Activity in Schools
Preemption
Safe Routes to School
School Meals and Snacks
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program
States
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Stories
Seattle’s Sugary Drink Tax Helps Feed Local Families Hit Hardest by COVID-19
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Seattle’s sugary drink tax has put $5 million worth of grocery vouchers into the hands of those who need them most.
Partners Across Paterson, New Jersey Ensure that WIC Participants Have Health Referrals and Healthy Food During COVID-19
The St. Joseph’s WIC program in Paterson, New Jersey innovates new methods to help participants receive health referral and healthy food services amid the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to their need to live a healthy life.
Infant and Toddler Milk Companies Spend Millions Targeting Caregivers With Dubious Nutritional Claims—and it’s Working
Companies widely market unhealthy drinks for young children, but upcoming dietary guidelines will for the first time include nutrition recommendations for children under age 2.
To Help Recover from COVID-19, We Need Universal Free School Meals
Free school meals for every student would reduce uncertainty for families and ease burdens on schools.
Sugary Drink Marketing Targets Youth at Greatest Risk for Obesity
New priority issue page highlights the latest research on sugary drink marketing, how it targets youth who are at risk for obesity and policy options for reducing consumption.
Supporting Child Nutrition During the Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many families have been struggling to find ways to feed their children healthy, affordable foods. Changes to several federal nutrition programs could better support families during this ongoing crisis.
Special Reports
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