Why It Matters
Obesity is Common, Serious, and Costly
Obesity impacts our nation’s health, economy, and military readiness.
About 1 in 5 children and more than 1 in 3 adults struggle with obesity.
Nearly 1 in 4 young adults are too heavy to serve in our military.
Children with obesity are more likely to have obesity as adults.
Adults with obesity have higher risk for developing:
Obesity costs the US healthcare system $147 billion a year.
Americans don’t eat healthy enough or get the right amount of physical activity:
Fewer than 1 in 10 children and adults eat the recommend daily amount of vegetables.
Fewer than 1 in 4 youth get enough aerobic physical activity.
Just 1 in 4 adults meet physical activity guidelines.
Many Americans lack heathy, affordable foods and places to be active.
More than half of Americans do not live within half a mile of a park.
40% of all US households do not live within 1 mile of healthier food retailers.
Page last reviewed: March 1, 2021
