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Current Fact Sheets

NUTRITION, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & OBESITY

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Physical Activity, Good Nutrition, and Obesity Program is presently funded at $_______ million.

We support a FY 2002 appropriation of $_______ million. With these additional resources, CDC will build a comprehensive program of nutrition education, physical activity promotion and obesity prevention in schools, worksites and communities nationwide. CDC would also fund states to conduct population-based campaigns aimed at yielding large-scale improvements in healthy eating, physical activity and obesity prevention and control.

Basic Facts About Good Nutrition, Physical Activity & Obesity

Lack of both physical activity and good nutrition account for at least 300, 000 preventable deaths each year in the U.S.

The estimated costs of diseases associated with obesity, including cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes are almost $100 billion. Improved nutrition could reduce the cost of heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes by $71 billion each year.

More than half of all adults are seriously overweight or obese. More than 60% of adults do not engage in levels of physical activity necessary to provide health benefits. Only 28% of women and 20% of men eat at least 5 servings of fruits/vegetables a day.

The percentage of obese children doubled in the last decade. Additionally, daily participation in high school physical education dropped from 42% to 27% between 1991 and 1997.

CDC’s Obesity, Physical Activity, and Good Nutrition Program

CDC provides support to states for physical activity, good nutrition, and obesity prevention programs. CDC further addresses these serious public health problems through nationwide health communications programs that promote physical activity and good nutrition, and prevention research. CDC also supports research to increase understanding of the relationships between physical activity, diet, and health among women, older adults, and underserved populations.

With first year funding for obesity in FY 2000, CDC began developing a comprehensive approach that addresses the obesity epidemic and related chronic diseases by providing support to 6 states to initiate state-based demonstration activities.

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