Initiative for a Healthy Weight

The Obesity Epidemic

The prevalence of obesity in the United States has risen at an epidemic rate during the past 20 years. In the past decade, the percentage of obese U.S. adults has nearly doubled. The picture of obesity and overweight in Rhode Island mirrors these national statistics.

Obesity in Rhode Island
1991		10 %
1995		13 %
2003		18 %

In Rhode Island, 57% of adults are overweight or obese (BRFSS, 2003) . 18% of Rhode Islanders are obese and another 39% are overweight (CDC BRFSS, 2003). The obesity rate increased by 66% between 1990 and 2003 (CDC BRFSS, 1990, 2003).

Overweight and obesity are also problems in Rhode Island youth:

• 42% of WIC pre-schoolers are overweight or at risk of overweight (RI WIC Program, 2003).
• 47% of 6-11 year olds are overweight or at risk for overweight (RI HIS, 2001).
• 27% of 12-17 year olds are overweight or at risk for overweight (RI HIS, 2001).
• 24% of high school students are overweight or at risk for overweight (RI YRBS, 2003).

For more information about the burden of overweight and obesity, download The Burden of Overweight and Obesity in Rhode Island Word PDF

• What are overweight and obesity?
• What are the consequences of overweight and obesity?
• Why are overweight and obesity growing?
• What can Rhode Islanders do about this epidemic?