Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity
"Did You Know?" is a weekly feature from the Office for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support to inform your prevention activities. We invite you to read, share, and take action!
View the Current "Did You Know?"
March 15, 2013
- CDC’s new report, Competitive Foods and Beverages in U.S. Schools: A State Policy Analysis [PDF-13MB], shows that 39 states have policies for snacks sold in competition with school meals.
- Schools, teachers, staff members, parents, and students can support and develop strong nutrition standards for foods and beverages in schools.
- CDC provides guidelines and strategies to help schools create supportive environments for students to eat healthy foods and stay active.
August 10, 2012
- 6 in 10 adults now report walking, making it the most popular form of physical activity.
- Adult walkers are more likely to get their recommended 2½ hours (150 minutes) per week of physical activity.
- State and local governments are working to create more walkable communities.
April 6, 2012
- More than one-third of U.S. adults [PDF-528KB] (35.7%) are obese.
- Obesity costs this country about $150 billion a year — nearly 10% of the national medical budget.
- HBO will air "The Weight of the Nation" documentary series on May 14-15.
February 10, 2012
- 9 in 10 Americans eat too much sodium, but it’s not coming from the salt shaker at the table.
- Most of the sodium we eat comes from only 10 types of common foods.
- State and local health departments are increasing public awareness about the amount of sodium added to processed and packaged foods and the health outcomes of a high-sodium diet.
October 21, 2011
- Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years.
- Schools can help students adopt healthy behaviors that are key to preventing obesity by implementing CDC's new school health guidelines.
- Presentation materials are available to help you promote and implement healthy eating and physical activity policies and practices for students.
October 14, 2011
- 50 million U.S. adults have doctor-diagnosed arthritis and nearly two-thirds of them are under age 65.
- Arthritis is the most common cause of disability in the United States.
- Low–cost self management education and physical activity programs led by trained instructors are available in communities across the country to help people gain control of their arthritis.
August 26, 2011
- Four simple health behaviors can lead to a longer life.
- People who engaged in all four healthy behaviors were 63 percent less likely to die early, compared to people who did not practice any of the behaviors.
- Measuring health-related quality of life indicators can help health agencies determine the burden of preventable disease in their jurisdiction.
August 19, 2011
- CDC released the 2010 School Health Profiles this week; there are substantial differences in what states, cities, and territories are doing to promote student health and well-being.
- The majority of secondary schools in 13 states, for example, do not sell less nutritious foods and beverages; see how your jurisdiction is doing.
- You can support youth in making healthy choices [PDF-149KB] by helping schools establish and enforce strong nutrition standards.
August 5, 2011
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Most U.S. hospitals do not fully support mothers to be able to breastfeed.
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Breastfeeding helps protect against childhood obesity [PDF-1.3MB].
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Hospitals can improve maternity care practices by adopting the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding [PDF-710KB].
April 29, 2011
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This week CDC released the first Children's Food Environment State Indicator Report [PDF762KB].
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Communities, child care facilities and schools [PDF-584KB] all have roles to play to improve children's food choices and influences.
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CDC provides strategies and solutions to promote healthy eating and fight childhood obesity.
April 15, 2011
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Minority health and school food are linked; learn how.
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Black females and Mexican-American males experience the highest rates of obesity among people ≤20 years.
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The HHS Disparities Action Plan, released last week, promotes evidence-based and integrated approaches to achieving health equity.
February 18, 2011
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10% to 43% of adults in counties across the United States report no leisure-time physical activity. How physically active is your community?
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Zoning can be used to address this health issue by supporting sidewalks, parks and recreation.
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The Guide to Community Preventive Services recommends communities create or enhance opportunities for physical activity.
February 4, 2011
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77% of your sodium intake comes from eating processed or restaurant foods.
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The Vital Signs town hall teleconference on February 8th highlighted sodium reduction initiatives and other strategies to prevent the leading cause of death.
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New dietary guidelines were released by USDA and HHS on January 31, 2011.
January 21, 2011
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The Surgeon General released the first call to action to support breastfeeding on January 20, 2011.
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Both babies and mothers gain many benefits from breastfeeding.
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The CDC Guide to Breastfeeding Interventions provides guidance in selecting evidence-based and promising breastfeeding promotion and support activities.
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