Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity

Poor nutrition—including over-consumption of high calorie, low nutrition foods and beverages, and foods high in sodium—and low levels of physical activity are leading contributors to some of the most urgent health challenges facing our country today, including obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer and diabetes. More than one-third of adults in the U.S. —over 72 million people—and 17% of children in the U.S. are obese. From 1980 to 2000, obesity rates for adults doubled and rates for children tripled. More than 90% of U.S. adults consume sodium in excess of recommendations by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Fully 81% of U.S. adults do not meet federal guidelines for physical activity and muscle strengthening.

CDC has identified nutrition, physical activity, and obesity as Winnable Battles. Progress in these areas is being made by developing policy, systems, and environmental initiatives that help make healthy choices available, affordable, and easy. CDC supports several approaches to improve nutrition and physical activity, including improving the food environments in childcare, schools, hospitals, and workplaces; reducing sodium levels in processed and restaurant foods; eliminating artificial trans fat in the food supply; and increasing opportunities for safe physical activity.

With additional effort and support for evidence-based, cost-effective strategies that we can implement now, we will have a significant impact on our nation's health.

The Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Winnable Battle materials below provide a snapshot of the context and background for this priority area, as well as descriptions of some of the systems, policy, and programmatic interventions pursued by CDC and our public health partners at the federal, state and local levels.

Nutrition, Physical Activity, Obesity Overview Materials:

• Introduction letter from CDC Director Dr. Thomas R. Frieden [PDF - 58KB]
• PowerPoint slides [PPT - 6.53MB], which can be tailored for your use by adding specific data, case studies, and other useful information.
• Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Winnable Battle 101 video
• Obesity At A Glance, which provides an overview of the major issues, CDC's role in obesity prevention, and future directions and opportunities
• School Health At A Glance, which demonstrates the critical role schools play in promoting the health and safety of young people
• Vital Signs
  • More People Walk to Better Health
  • Where’s the Sodium
  • Hospital Support for Breastfeeding
  • Adult Obesity
• Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Winnable Battle Goals

For more information about the Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Winnable Battle, please visit www.cdc.gov/obesity/ and www.cdc.gov/salt.  

If you have questions about the materials provided here, please contact adprogram@cdc.gov