In 2005, almost one in four American adults was obese. Obesity was even more prevalent among Hispanic and black adults, at 26.5 percent and 33.9 percent respectively.  Moreover, the percentage of overweight young people has more than tripled since 1980. This growing epidemic has many causes, primary among them being physical inactivity and unhealthy eating.

Overweight and obesity contribute to numerous health problems such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, breathing problems, osteoarthritis and depression.  The annual estimated cost of obesity to the United States was about $139 billion in 2003. The health costs associated with overweight and obesity now exceed those associated with tobacco use.

State legislators nationwide are actively pursuing solutions to America's obesity epidemic.  While weight is greatly affected by individual behaviors, effective solutions require the combined efforts of policymakers and stakeholders throughout our communities.  Schools, health care and insurance providers, representatives of agriculture and food industries, and businesses and employers are all working to confront the obesity epidemic and its effects. 

Community Health Resources

Learn more about obesity prevention in CDC's Community Health Resources, including fact sheets, state and local program contacts, communication materials and state data.

Preventing Diseases Through Physical Activity Legislator Policy Brief and Talking Points

These publications provide state policymakers up-to-date information about the importance of physical activity and what legislators can do to encourage it.  The brief also includes innovative state programs and advice from a state legislator.

School Wellness Policies Legislator Policy Brief

In this Legislator Policy Brief, find out what legislators can do to support school wellness policies, get advice from state legislators who have implemented model policies and learn more about comprehensive approaches to improve the school nutrition environment in your state.

Healthy States Policy Academy on the Prevention of Childhood Obesity

To find out more about preventing childhood obesity, click the link above to view resources and slides from the panelists at our July 2007 policy academy in Hilton Head, S.C.

Childhood Obesity Tool Kit

This Tool Kit provides policymakers resources, data, trends and examples of solutions being implemented or considered by states and legislators across the country that aim to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic.

Adult Obesity Tool Kit

Health care costs continue to rise, and obesity is a factor, causing or complicating many costly, chronic conditions. The Adult Obesity Tool Kit provides policymakers background, data and trends, and a variety of policy approaches being implemented or considered by states and legislatures across the country. 

F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies are Failing in America 2007

Thirty-one states had higher adult obesity rates over the past year, according to a new report from the Trust for America's Health. The report offers a series of recommendations for addressing the obesity issue and its health impact at all levels, including a 20-step action plan to address the epidemic's health burden and financial costs. 

State-Specific Prevalence of Obesity Among Adults

CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly finds that the state-level prevalence of obesity in adults increased significantly during 1995-2005, moving states further from the target of 15 percent prevalence of obesity set by the Healthy People 2010 initiative developed by federal agencies. To reverse this trend, a sustained and effective public health response is needed, including surveillance, research, policies and programs directed at improving environmental factors, increasing awareness and changing behaviors to increase physical activity and decrease calorie intake, the report says.

Progress in Preventing Childhood Obesity: How Do We Measure Up?

This report from the Institute of Medicine's Committee on Progress in Preventing Childhood Obesity examines the progress made by obesity prevention initiatives in recent years.