Only four states have a higher rate of childhood obesity than N.C.
In 2007, over one-third (35.5%) of children ages 6 to 17 in N.C. were either overweight or obese.
Despite the medical advances of the past 100 years, our children’s life expectancy will likely decrease due to overweight and associated diseases.
In 2007, nearly two-thirds (64.6 %) of adults in N.C. were either overweight or obese.
From 2001 to 2007, the proportion of N.C. adults who were overweight or obese increased from 58.8% to 64.6%. That’s an increase of more than 750,000 people.
From 2001 to 2007, the proportion of high school students who were overweight or obese increased from 27.2% to 29.9%. That’s an increase of nearly 25,000 students.
| Obesity: How does N.C. measure up? | N.C. | U.S. |
| Overweight and obese adults | 64.6% | 63.0% |
| Overweight and obese high school students | 29.9% | 28.8% |
| Physical Activity: How does N.C. measure up? | ||
| Adults getting the recommended amount of physical activity | 44.0% | 49.5% |
| Fruits and Vegetables: How does N.C. measure up? | ||
| Adults getting 5+ servings of fruits and vegetables per day | 21.6% | 24.4% |
| High school students getting fruits and vegetables 5+ times per day | 14.8% | 21.4% |
| Breastfeeding: How does N.C. measure up? | ||
| Mothers who initiated breastfeeding | 61.1% | 64.2% |
| Infants who were breastfed for at least 6 months | 20.6% | 25.2% |
* Limited to mothers and infants enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)