Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity: Wisconsin Data
How do Wisconsinites measure up?
Adults
Obesity rates have been rising for decades. Wisconsin statistics are consistent with national averages. Data show 68% of Wisconsin adults are affected by excess weight. Let’s work together to lower these rates.
| Weight status data | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults who have an overweight BMI (body mass index) classification (BMI between 25-30) | 36.1 | 34.8 |
| Percent of adults who have obesity (BMI ≥30) | 32.3 | 31.9 |
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention): Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2020
| Physical activity data | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults who meet aerobic activity guidelines (achieve at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity) | 55.2 | 51.5 |
| Percent of adults who meet aerobic and muscle strengthening (two or more days per week) physical activity guidelines | 24.7 | 23.0 |
| Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity | 20.5 | 23.5 |
Source: CDC: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2019
| Nutrition data | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults consuming fruit less than 1 time daily | 38.9 | 39.2 |
| Percent of adults consuming vegetables less than 1 time daily | 22.8 | 21.0 |
CDC: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2019
High school students
Wisconsin students have lower overweight and obesity rates compared to national averages, but engage in moderate/vigorous physical activity daily less.
| Weight status data | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Percent of students grades 9-12 who have an overweight BMI classification (BMI between 85th-95th percentile) | 14.6 | 16.1 |
| Percent of students grades 9-12 who have obesity (BMI ≥ 95th percentile) | 14.5 | 15.5 |
Source: CDC: Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System 2019
| Physical activity data | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Percent of students grades 9-12 achieving 1 hour or more of moderate-and/or vigorous-intensity physical activity daily | 21.3 | 23.2 |
Source: CDC: Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System 2019
| Nutrition data | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Percent of students grades 9-12 consuming fruit fewer than 1 time daily | 38.7 | 39.2 |
| Percent of students grades 9-12 consuming vegetables fewer than 1 time daily | 40.0 | 40.6 |
Source: CDC: Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System 2019