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
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%.
Read MoreNew Mexico New Mexico reported declines in overweight and obesity among kindergartners and third graders from 2010 to 2015.
Read More
Adult Obesity in New Mexico New Data
Obesity rate by age (2018)
Obesity rate by race (2018)
Obesity rate by gender (2018)

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

State Policies to Prevent Obesity
Early Childhood | U.S. | New Mexico | |
---|---|---|---|
BreastfeedingState has regulations requiring licensed ECE programs to allow or encourage onsite breastfeeding |
22 + D.C. | View all states | |
Defined Physical ActivityState has set a definition for physical activity in ECE settings |
9 + D.C. | View all states | |
Drinking WaterState has regulations requiring licensed ECE programs to make drinking water available to children |
43 | View all states | |
Healthy EatingState has regulations requiring licensed ECE programs to have healthy eating policies |
50 + D.C. | View all states | |
Link to CACFP UpdatesState has licensing laws linked to the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) standards that automatically update |
23 + D.C. | View all states | |
Nutrition StandardsState has regulations requiring licensed ECE programs to provide meals and snacks that meet dietary guidelines |
26 + D.C. | View all states | |
Physical ActivityState has regulations requiring licensed ECE programs to have time for daily physical activity |
50 + D.C. | View all states | |
Private Breastfeeding SpaceState has regulations requiring licensed ECE programs to have a private space available for mothers to breastfeed infants |
4 + D.C. | View all states | |
Screen TimeState 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 EducationState requires elementary school students to participate in physical education |
38 + D.C. | View all states | |
High School Physical EducationState requires high school students to participate in physical education |
42 + D.C. | View all states | |
Middle School Physical EducationState requires middle school students to participate in physical education |
36 + D.C. | View all states | |
PE Time Requirement, Elementary SchoolsState 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 SchoolsState requires high school students to participate in a minimum amount of time of physical education |
6 | View all states | |
PE Time Requirement, Middle SchoolsState requires middle school students to participate in a minimum amount of time of physical education |
14 + D.C. | View all states | |
RecessState requires recess in elementary schools |
5 | View all states | |
Safe Routes to SchoolsState has statutes or regulations on Safe Routes to School |
16 | View all states | |
Shared Use of FacilitiesState has policy for communities to access school recreational facilities outside school hours. |
36 + D.C. | View all states | |
Community Eligibility ProvisionPercentage of eligible schools in the state adopting the community eligibility provision |
76.9% | View all states | |
Farm-to-School ProgramsPercentage of school districts in the state participating in farm-to-school activities |
34% | View all states | |
School Nutrition StandardsPercentage of school food authorities in state meeting updated meal nutrition standards |
97.4% | View all states | |
Community | U.S. | New Mexico | |
Complete StreetsState has adopted a complete streets policy |
33 + D.C. | View all states | |
Healthy Food Financing InitiativesState has healthy food financing funding |
37 + D.C. | View all states | |
PreemptionState has laws preempting local policies related to nutrition |
9 | View all states | |
Child Food Insecurity RatePercentage of children in state that are food insecure |
25.0% | View all states | |
Overall Food Insecurity RatePercentage of the state population that is food insecure |
16.0% | View all states | |
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance ProgramPercentage of state residents participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) |
23.0% | View all states |