Percent of Adults Living with Obesity

Note: Some racial and ethnic categories are suppressed for privacy and to avoid misleading estimates when the relative standard error exceeds 30% or the unweighted sample size is less than 50 respondents. Data Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey (BRFSS) Data Why This Matters Obesity is a national and local public health emergency. Today, 4 in 10 adults are living with obesity in the United States, and the obesity rate is on the rise. Obesity has multiple and complex causes, including genetics, health issues, and the social environment. Obesity can harm quality of life, increase the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and other health problems, and lead to discrimination in education, work, and healthcare. Communities of color are disproportionately impacted by obesity nationally and locally. Racial and ethnic disparities in obesity are linked to policies and systemic barriers that can make it harder to access healthy foods, exercise opportunities, healthcare, and more. The District Response The Produce Plus Program provides financial support for residents with low access to fresh foods to spend at local farmers markets. The Food Access Fund (FAF) Grant increases equitable access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food by supporting the opening of new grocery stores in areas with low food access, with priority given to locations in Ward 7 or Ward 8. Promoting health through free DPR fitness centers, wellness classes, the MoveDC Plan for active transportation, and health and PE classes in public schools to encourage lifelong exercise habits. Created the Living Well DC portal for District residents, health professionals, and community-based organizations, which provides information and resources to help improve health outcomes.