Preventing Chronic Diseases:

Investing Wisely in Health

Preventing Obesity and 

Chronic Diseases Through 

Good Nutrition and Physical Activity

The Reality

• During the past 20 years, obesity among adults has risen 

significantly in the United States. The latest data from the

National Center for Health Statistics show that 30% of U.S.

adults 20 years of age and older—over 60 million people—

are obese.

• The percentage of young people who are overweight has 

more than tripled since 1980. Among children and adolescents

aged 6-19 years, 16%—over 9 million young people—are 

considered overweight.

• Less than 25% of U.S. adults eat the recommended five or

more servings of fruits and vegetables each day.

• Less than 25% of young people eat the recommended five or

more servings of fruits and vegetables each day.

• Despite the proven benefits of physical activity, more than 

50% of American adults do not get enough physical activity 

to provide health benefits.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

AND HUMAN SERVICES

• More than a third of young people in grades 9–12 do not 

regularly engage in vigorous physical activity.

• Unhealthy diet and physical inactivity can cause or aggravate

many chronic diseases and conditions, including type 2 diabetes,

hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.

The Cost of Obesity and 

Chronic Diseases

• Among children and adolescents, annual hospital costs related

to obesity were $127 million during 1997–1999 (in 2001

constant U.S. dollars), up from $35 million during 1979–1981.

• In 2000, the total cost of obesity in the United States was

estimated to be $117 billion. About $61 billion was for direct

medical costs, and $56 billion was for indirect costs.

• In 1996, $31 billion of treatment costs (in year 2000 dollars) for

cardiovascular disease among adults was related to overweight

and obesity.

Revised July 2005

No data

available

<10% 10%–14% 15%–19%

1995

CT

NJ

MA

NH

RI

VT

DE

MD

1991

MA

NJ

RI

CT

DE

MD

NH

VT

20%–24%

2004

CT

MA

RI

VT

DE

MD

NH

NJ

≥25%

Percentage of Adults Who Report Being Obese,* by State

* Body mass index ≥30 or about 30 pounds overweight for a 5’4” person. Based on self-reported weight and height.

Source: CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
Washington State’s Access

to Healthy Foods Coalition

Between 1990 and 2002, the 

obesity rate among Washington

adults increased by 127%. Today,

nearly three in five state residents are overweight or obese,

and one in five high school students is overweight or 

at risk of becoming overweight. With CDC support,

Washington is working to reverse this trend by encouraging

better eating habits and physical activity.

Access to nutritious foods is an important—and frustrating

—aspect of improving nutrition in this state. Washington

is one of the most agriculturally abundant states, yet it

has a high per capita hunger. In response, the Access to

Healthy Foods Coalition was created in 2002. The coalition

draws on the skills and resources of a diverse statewide

membership, and its projects are creating healthier food

choices in many environments, including schools, grocery

stores, worksites, and areas underserved by supermarkets.

For instance, coalition partner Rotary First Harvest helps

growers and producers gather and deliver surplus produce

to distribution centers, where it is packed and sent to food

banks. Trucking companies let Rotary use empty trucks to

haul the produce. Using funds from local foundations, Rotary

buys produce bins, which are given to donors so they do

not have to spend more time or money gathering surplus

produce before it is picked up. This project creates a win-win

situation: Farmers see surplus crops put to use, and food

banks get nutritious foods they often cannot provide regularly to the people they serve. In addition, another coalition partner is creating an online database that will more

quickly and efficiently connect growers, distributors, and

others who want to help with those who need help most.

In the town of Moses Lake, environmental and policy

changes are paving the way for good nutrition and physical

activity. For example, a community garden project gives

residents greater access to fresh produce and more

opportunities to be physically active. Local school groups

and chefs are helping to make the garden both a food

source and an educational tool. In addition, the city plans

to replace railroad tracks with biking and walking paths,

and Grant County, which includes Moses Lake, plans to

build trails along irrigation canals. New city and county

zoning ordinances require wider sidewalks that are more

accessible for pedestrians and cyclists.

State Program in Action:

How Physical Activity and 

Weight Loss Save Money

• In 2000, health care costs associated with physical inactivity

topped $76 billion.

• If 10% of adults began a regular walking program, $5.6 billion

in heart disease costs could be saved.

• A sustained 10% weight loss will reduce an overweight person’s

lifetime medical costs by $2,200–$5,300 by lowering costs associated with hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke,

and high cholesterol.

Promising Approaches for 

Preventing Obesity

• Breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of overweight 

in children.

• Regular physical activity is a key part of any weight control effort.

Community strategies that increase physical activity levels include

community-wide campaigns, “point-of-decision” prompts (such 

as signs placed by elevators and escalators that encourage people

to use nearby stairs), and physical education in schools. Enhancing

access to places for physical activity combined with informational

outreach is also successful as are nonfamily social support and

individually adapted health behavior changes.

• Reducing the time children spend watching television appears

to be effective for controlling their weight.

• For people who are overweight, increasing physical activity 

helps them reduce many of the risks for illnesses associated 

with obesity, helps them maintain their weight loss, and helps

them prevent weight gain.

Hope for the Future

We can reduce obesity and other chronic diseases in this country by

improving eating habits and increasing physical activity. Increasing

opportunities for healthy eating and physical activity are just some 

of the steps we can take to promote the health of our nation.

For more information and references supporting these facts,

visit www.cdc.gov/nccdphp. For additional copies of this

document, E-mail ccdinfo@cdc.gov.

The community garden in Moses Lake, Washington, is a place where residents

can grow nutritious food, be active, and enjoy the outdoors.