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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%
Adult obesity rates now exceed 35% in 12 states. Mississippi has the highest rate, 40.8%.
10-17 Year Olds
15.5%
The latest National Survey of Children’s Health finds that 15.5% 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
15.5%
15.5% of U.S. high school students have obesity, according to the latest data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System.
Policies
Child Nutrition 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
How School Meals Help Families Impacted by the Pandemic
School meals are a lifeline to tens of millions of families across the country. Learn about new research on how healthy meals benefit kids—and why school meal programs must be supported, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Impact‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌COVID-19 Pandemic‌ ‌on‌ ‌Childhood‌ ‌Obesity‌ ‌
COVID-19, and the economic consequences of the pandemic, may be increasing the risk for childhood obesity. Experts speak about how COVID-19 might influence childhood obesity rates in the future.
New Data Compares Latest Child Obesity Rates By Age, Gender, and Race
Nearly one in five young people in the United States has obesity. Data from the 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) shows the drastic differences in child obesity rates across age, gender, and racial and ethnic groups.
Home Visits May Help Prevent Obesity Among Young Native American Children
Native American children suffer from high rates of obesity which puts them at greater risk for severe consequences from COVID-19. A study found that nutrition-focused home-visiting intervention programs have an impact on infant's health and decreases risk of early childhood obesity.
Innovative Heroes, Ensuring No Child or Family Goes Hungry During COVID-19
When COVID-19 hit, these school nutrition professionals showed up strong to help provide healthy foods to children and families. Read their inspirational stories.
Building Community Power to Limit Marketing of Sugary Drinks
Taking on the beverage industry’s marketing of sugary drinks to kids is one of Xavier’ Morales' passions. Learn more about his work to help communities create policies that prioritize health and equity.
Special Reports
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