California 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 California 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 California: 39,144,818⁴

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Adult Statistics

Dietary Behaviors⁵

• 30.4% of adults reported consuming fruit less than one time daily.
• 17.3% of adults reported consuming vegetables less than one time daily.

Physical Activity⁵

• 56.3% of adults achieved the equivalent of at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week.

Overweight and Obesity⁵

• 35.0% of adults were overweight.
• 24.7% of adults had obesity.

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Child Statistics

Breastfeeding⁵

• 88.3% of infants were ever breastfed.
• 65.9% of infants were breastfed for at least 6 months.

Overweight and Obesity⁵

• 16.9% of children aged 2 to 4 years in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program were overweight.
• 17.6% of children aged 2 to 4 years in WIC had obesity.

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State Activities

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

• In collaboration with the California Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Association and the California Breastfeeding Coalition, formed an Expert Advisory Panel. The panel worked with 15 community clinics to draft and implement the Breastfeeding Friendly Clinic Criteria and Guidelines and establish policies that allow clinics to bill for lactation services.
• Contracted with California State University at Chico to develop a “how to” toolkit for using low cost stencils for the outdoor environment at early care and education facilities. Reusable playground stencils are an inexpensive solution to increase physical activity for preschoolers. Toolkits and training are provided to early care and education facilities.
• Partnered with Kaiser Permanente to create the Employee Bike Share Program for health department employees. By the end of year 1, the program had 235 employees enrolled and 760 trips logged, for an average of 5+ miles each.

Program Highlights

• Bike Share Program Offers California State Employees Another Way to Be Active [PDF-505KB]

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