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A Project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
The State of Obesity in

New Mexico

In New Mexico, 16.9% of youth ages 10 to 17 have obesity, giving New Mexico a ranking of 11 out of 51 for this age group among all states and the District of Columbia. This state profile includes data on childhood and adult obesity, obesity-related health issues, and policy actions New Mexico is taking to prevent and reduce obesity. The latest data show the obesity rate among WIC participants ages 2-4 decreased in 41 states and territories, increased in 3 states, and remained stable in the rest between 2010 and 2016. Rates range from a low of 7.9% in Utah to a high of 19.8% View obesity rate data among WIC participants ages 2-4 for all states.

Childhood Obesity in New Mexico New Data

2- to 4-year-old WIC participants

Current obesity rate (2016)

12.1%

Rank among states (2016)

41/51

Source: stateofobesity.org/wic

10- to 17-year-olds

Current obesity rate (2017-2018)

16.9%

Rank among states (2017-2018)

11/51

Source: stateofobesity.org/children1017

High school students

Current obesity rate (2017)

15.3%

Rank among states (2017)

12/43

Source: stateofobesity.org/high-school-obesity

Childhood Obesity Stories: New Mexico

Declining Obesity Among 2- to 4-year-olds: In New Mexico, obesity rates declined among 2- to 4-year-olds enrolled in WIC from 2010 to 2016. The rate of obesity dropped from 15.7% to 12.1%.

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New Mexico New Mexico reported declines in overweight and obesity among kindergartners and third graders from 2010 to 2015.

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Adult Obesity in New Mexico New Data

Obesity Rate (2018)

32.3%

Rank Among States (2018)

22/51

Obesity rate by age (2018)

18-25 25.8% 26-44 35.9% 45-64 36.5% 65+ 24.9%

Obesity rate by race (2018)

White 25.1% Black 27.6% Latino 32.8%

Obesity rate by gender (2018)

Men 31.2% Women 33.5%
Note: A change in methodology makes direct comparisons to data collected prior to 2011 difficult. Read the full rates and ranks methodology for more information. Source: Trust for America's Health. The State of Obesity: Better Policies for a Healthier America, 2019. Washington, D.C.: 2019.

Obesity-Related Health Issues in New Mexico New Data

Diabetes:

Current adult diabetes rate (2018)

12.5%

Rank among states (2018)

11/51

Diabetes cases in 2010

173,054

Projected cases of diabetes in 2030 at current pace

252,907

Historical adult diabetes rates (1990-2017)

Hypertension:

Current adult hypertension rate (2017)

30.5%

Rank among states (2017)

36/51

Hypertension cases in 2010

419,506

Projected cases of hypertension in 2030 at current pace

510,457

Historical adult hypertension rates (1990-2015)

Heart Disease:

Heart disease cases in 2010

123,330

Projected cases of heart disease in 2030

559,598

Arthritis:

Arthritis cases in 2010

413,967

Projected cases of arthritis in 2030

332,573

Obesity-Related Cancer:

Obesity-related cancer cases in 2010

32,920

Projected cases of cancer in 2030

80,166

Sources: Current diabetes (2018) and hypertension (2017) rates are from The State of Obesity 2019; 2010 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, arthritis and obesity-related cancer numbers and projected cases of obesity-related health problems related are from F as in Fat 2012.

State Policies to Prevent Obesity

Early Childhood U.S. New Mexico

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. New Mexico

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

76.9% View all states

Farm-to-School Programs

Percentage of school districts in the state participating in farm-to-school activities

 34% View all states

School Nutrition Standards

Percentage of school food authorities in state meeting updated meal nutrition standards

 97.4% View all states
Community U.S. New Mexico

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

 25.0% View all states

Overall Food Insecurity Rate

Percentage of the state population that is food insecure

 16.0% View all states

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Percentage of state residents participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

 23.0% View all states