Weight and Physical Activity - Prevention Summary Table
Only one measure per topic is displayed in the summary table. A complete set of measures, where they exist, can be found by following the More Information link in the table below.
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green - headed in the right direction |
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red - headed in the wrong direction |
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black - stable or non-significant change (NSC) |
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purple - indeterminate |
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blue - Healthy People 2020 target |
Measure Name | Weight | Physical Activity |
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Year Range | 1971-2016 | 1997-2018 |
Measure |
The percentage of adults aged 20 years and older who are at a healthy weight, overweight, or obese. These weight groups are defined by a measurement called body mass index (BMI), which is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared. For most adults, experts consider a BMI within the range of 18.5 to 24.9 to be healthy, a BMI between 25 and 29.9 to be overweight, and a BMI of 30 and over to be obese. |
Percentage of adults aged 18 years and older who reported no leisure-time physical activity during the past month and percentage of adults who meet both the aerobic and muscle-strengthening guidelines. |
Recent Summary Trend | Rising | Falling |
Recent Summary Trend Year Range | 2011-2016 | 2014-2018 |
Desired Direction | Falling | Falling |
Summary Graph |
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Trends and Most Recent Estimates | During 2015 to 2016, 27.2% percent of adults aged 20 years and older were at a healthy weight, 31.8% percent were overweight, and 39.5% percent were obese. | In 2018, 25.4% of adults 18 and older reported no physical activity in their leisure time. |
Healthy People 2020 Target | Increase to 33.9% percent the proportion of adults who are at a healthy weight and decrease to 30.5% percent the proportion of obese adults. | Reduce to 32.6% the proportion of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity. |
More Information | Weight | Physical Activity |
Last Updated | March 2020 | March 2020 |
Measure Name | Weight |
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Year Range | 1971-2016 |
Measure |
The percentage of adults aged 20 years and older who are at a healthy weight, overweight, or obese. These weight groups are defined by a measurement called body mass index (BMI), which is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared. For most adults, experts consider a BMI within the range of 18.5 to 24.9 to be healthy, a BMI between 25 and 29.9 to be overweight, and a BMI of 30 and over to be obese. |
Recent Summary Trend | Rising |
Recent Summary Trend Year Range | 2011-2016 |
Desired Direction | Falling |
Summary Graph |
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Trends and Most Recent Estimates | During 2015 to 2016, 27.2% percent of adults aged 20 years and older were at a healthy weight, 31.8% percent were overweight, and 39.5% percent were obese. |
Healthy People 2020 Target | Increase to 33.9% percent the proportion of adults who are at a healthy weight and decrease to 30.5% percent the proportion of obese adults. |
More Information | Weight |
Measure Name | Physical Activity |
---|---|
Year Range | 1997-2018 |
Measure |
Percentage of adults aged 18 years and older who reported no leisure-time physical activity during the past month and percentage of adults who meet both the aerobic and muscle-strengthening guidelines. |
Recent Summary Trend | Falling |
Recent Summary Trend Year Range | 2014-2018 |
Desired Direction | Falling |
Summary Graph |
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Trends and Most Recent Estimates | In 2018, 25.4% of adults 18 and older reported no physical activity in their leisure time. |
Healthy People 2020 Target | Reduce to 32.6% the proportion of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity. |
More Information | Physical Activity |