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A Project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Data
National Obesity Monitor
National obesity data and trends over time, including by age group, sex, race and ethnicity. The data cover children as young as 2, all the way up to adults, and come 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
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.
Local Farmers Pick-to-Order for Spokane’s Youngest Kids
No matter where you go in Spokane, you’ll find a well-connected community that cares deeply about children’s health. Growing a local “farm-to-ECE” movement is one way this community is helping its kids grow up at a healthy weight.
Healthy Drinks Matter for Healthy Kids
Megan Lott, deputy director of Healthy Eating Research and lead author of the Healthy Beverage Consumption in Early Childhood report shares recommendations about which drinks are best for infants and young kids to drink, as well as which ones to avoid.
Increasing Healthy Food Options in Vending Machines
There are nearly 4 million vending machines in U.S. schools, hospitals, apartment buildings, and other places where kids spend time. Thanks to a new public health commitment, beginning January 1, 2020, they will include “better for you” products.
Washington State Prioritizes Healthier Standards in Early Learning Settings
Washington state's Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition helps early care and education providers serve healthy meals statewide by advocating for strong nutrition requirements.
A Letter From Dr. Rich Besser
Richard Besser, MD, president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, shares the Foundation's commitment to reducing rates of childhood obesity.
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