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.
Connect with Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity
Page last reviewed: March 1, 2021