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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
The Impact of Changing SNAP and School Meals During COVID-19
A discussion with Giridhar Mallya of RWJF to better understand how recent coronavirus relief legislation impacts SNAP and school meals, as well as some of the longer-term proposals in both areas.
New Adult Obesity Rate Data
New data show that the adult obesity rate in the United States is 42.4%, and that disparities persist across race and ethnicity.
Eastern Washington Schools Make Meals Healthier
Eastern Washington School Districts and Chef LJ Klinkenberg have made it their mission to get healthy and tasty food meals served in schools. Since starting their work, the average body mass index among kids at risk for obesity has dropped significantly.
A Closer Look at Food Insecurity
An estimated 40 million Americans - including 12.5 million children- are living in food shortage areas. We sat down with Elaine Waxman, senior fellow at the Urban Institute about their new interactive tool mapping food insecurity across the countru.
Unhealthy Drinks Dominate Children’s Drink Sales
It's hard to tell healthy and unhealthy children's drinks apart, so it is important to have the facts to make the healthiest decision possible. This interview with the Rudd Center shares findings from a recent report on the nutrition content of and marketing behind children's drinks.
New Year, New Nutrition Facts Label
On January 1, an updated Nutrition Facts label took effect covering all food and beverage products from manufacturers with more than $10 million in sales. Read a post from Jamie Bussel of RWJF about the change and what it means for families.
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