Arkansas State Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Profile

Many American communities lack environments that could support healthy diets and regular physical activity. Healthy dietary and physical activity practices can lower the risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers.^1,2

In addition, excess calorie intake and physical inactivity contribute to obesity, which is associated with some of the leading preventable chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. Among adults, the medical costs associated with obesity are an estimated $147 billion.^1,2,3

Public health approaches can help make healthy options available, accessible, and affordable. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO) supports the nation to establish sustainable programs to improve dietary quality, increase physical activity, and reduce obesity and overweight. DNPAO funds and works with state health departments through a cooperative agreement (State Public Health Actions to Prevent and Control Diabetes, Heart Disease, Obesity and Associated Risk Factors and Promote School Health program).

This profile highlights data on dietary quality, physical activity, and obesity in Arkansas and select activities funded with this cooperative agreement. For more information about CDC’s work to support healthy eating and physical activity, please see the DNPAO website.

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Population Statistics

Estimated Population of Arkansas: 2,978,204⁴

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Adult Statistics

Dietary Behaviors⁵

• 50.5% of adults reported consuming fruit less than one time daily.
• 28.0% of adults reported consuming vegetables less than one time daily.

Physical Activity⁵

• 41.2% of adults achieved the equivalent of at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week.

Overweight and Obesity⁵

• 34.7% of adults were overweight.
• 35.9% of adults had obesity.

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Adolescent Statistics

Dietary Behaviors⁵

• 47.9% of adolescents reported consuming fruit less than one time daily.
• 41.8% of adolescents reported consuming vegetables less than one time daily.

Physical Activity⁵

• 27.5% of adolescents were physically active at least 60 minutes per day on all 7 days in the past week.

Overweight and Obesity⁵

• 15.9% of adolescents were overweight.
• 17.8% of adolescents had obesity.

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Child Statistics

Breastfeeding⁵

• 64.7% of infants were ever breastfed.
• 31.1% of infants were breastfed for at least 6 months.

Overweight and Obesity⁵

• 16.0% of children aged 2 to 4 years in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program were overweight.
• 14.6% of children aged 2 to 4 years in WIC had obesity.

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State Activities

Arkansas worked on the following select activities during the first 2 years of the State Public Health Actions program.

• Worked with three farmers’ markets to incorporate the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Double Bucks program to give participants incentives to use their benefits at farmers’ markets.
• Collaborated with several partners across Arkansas to develop a toolkit on strategies to increase low-income residents’ purchases at farmers’ markets.
• Implemented the Arkansas Healthy Employees Lifestyle Program and the Arkansas Healthy Community Lifestyle Program across the state, which includes guidance about comprehensive policies on nutrition, physical activity, and breastfeeding in worksite and community settings.
• In collaboration with partners, coordinated and provided technical assistance to develop the Arkansas Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan for four metro counties surrounding Little Rock, Arkansas. Partners included the Governor’s Bicycle Advisory Group, Arkansas Bicycle Technical Advisory Committee, Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department, Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention, and the American Heart Association.

Program Highlights

• Arkansas Revises State Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan to Become More Bike-Friendly [PDF-505KB]

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