At a glance
CDC uses several surveillance systems to monitor obesity and obesity-related behaviors such as diet and physical activity. These surveillance systems use surveys that are conducted again and again to monitor long-term trends on health-related topics.
How CDC uses information from surveillance systems
CDC conducts surveillance of chronic diseases to:
- Better understand the extent of health risk behaviors, preventive care practices, and the burden of chronic diseases, such as obesity.
- Monitor the progress of prevention efforts.
- Help public health professionals and policy makers make more timely and effective decisions.
Key obesity-related surveillance systems
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)
NHANES assesses the health of American adults and children through a combination of in-person interviews and physical examinations. It consists of a nationally representative sample of about 5,000 people each year. CDC uses NHANES data for national estimates.
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
BRFSS is a state-based, phone survey conducted by CDC and state health departments. It collects self-reported information about health conditions and behaviors, such as physical inactivity and fruit and vegetable consumption, among adults. CDC uses BRFSS data for state-level estimates.
Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS)
YRBSS monitors priority health risk behaviors that contribute to poor health and social problems among youth in the United States. These include unhealthy dietary behaviors and physical inactivity.
National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH)
NSCH is a mail- and web-based survey conducted annually by the U.S. Census Bureau. The survey examines the physical and emotional health of children 0 to 17, including factors related to health care, family interactions, well-being, and neighborhood characteristics.
Women, Infants, and Children Participant and Program Characteristics (WIC PC)
WIC PC summarizes demographic characteristics of participants enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for WIC. It includes information on various health factors, including breastfeeding and obesity. Data are available for children 2 to 4 and infants 3 to 23 months.
National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)
NHIS is a large-scale survey that collects data on a broad range of health topics, including physical activity, food programs and food insecurity, and height and weight. The data are gathered through personal household interviews. It provides national-level estimates that can be used to track progress toward national health objectives, such as Healthy People 2030.
School Health Profiles
School Health Profiles is a system of surveys assessing school health policies and practices in states, large urban school districts, and territories. The surveys include policies and practices related to school health education requirements, nutrition and dietary behavior, physical education and physical activity, and other topics.
PLACES: Local Data for Better Health
PLACES provides model-based, population-level analysis and community estimates of select health data. It provides measures for all counties, places (incorporated and census designated places), census tracts, and ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) across the United States.
More chronic disease surveillance systems
Chronic Disease Surveillance Systems
These additional surveillance systems can be used to understand health risk behaviors, preventive care practices, and the U.S. burden of chronic diseases, such as cancer and diabetes.
Diabetes and Obesity Maps
These maps display age-adjusted prevalence of obesity and diagnosed diabetes among U.S. adults, by county in 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2019. Available as PowerPoint file or or PDF.
Catalogue of Surveillance Systems
Gain access to more than 100 publicly available datasets relevant to childhood obesity research. Datasets contain information on health behaviors and outcomes as well as policies and environmental factors. This catalogue is a product of the National Collaborative on Childhood Obesity Research (NCCOR).