Missouri 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 Missouri 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.

 Top of Page

Population Statistics

Estimated Population of Missouri: 6,083,672⁴

 Top of Page

Adult Statistics

Dietary Behaviors⁵

• 43.1% of adults reported consuming fruit less than one time daily.
• 24.3% of adults reported consuming vegetables less than one time daily.

Physical Activity⁵

• 48.6% of adults achieved the equivalent of at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week.

Overweight and Obesity⁵

• 35.4% of adults were overweight.
• 30.2% of adults had obesity.

 Top of Page

Adolescent Statistics

Dietary Behaviors⁵

• 45.0% of adolescents reported consuming fruit less than one time daily.
• 41.5% of adolescents reported consuming vegetables less than one time daily.

Physical Activity⁵

• 27.2% of adolescents were physically active at least 60 minutes per day on all 7 days in the past week.

Overweight and Obesity⁵

• 15.5% of adolescents were overweight.
• 14.9% of adolescents had obesity.

 Top of Page

Child Statistics

Breastfeeding⁵

• 73.7% of infants were ever breastfed.
• 38.7% of infants were breastfed for at least 6 months.

Overweight and Obesity⁵

• 16.1% of children aged 2 to 4 years in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program were overweight.
• 13.5% of children aged 2 to 4 years in WIC had obesity.

 Top of Page

State Activities

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

• Trained partners through three webinars on Stock Healthy, Shop Healthy resources and strategies to increase access to healthy foods in small retail venues.
• Developed and promoted the Missouri Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite Award through child care newsletters, Missouri Chamber of Commerce, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, and Society of Human Resource Managers local chapters.
• Supported Eat Smart in Parks, a statewide effort aimed at promoting healthier eating options in Missouri’s state and local parks. As of March 2015, the state health department is working in partnership with the University of Missouri Extension to implement Eat Smart in Parks strategies in nine park systems.

Program Highlights

• Corner Stores in Missouri Make Healthy Food Options Easier to Buy [PDF-1.13MB]

 Top of Page