All Arkansas reach and maintain a healthy weight through a healthy lifestyle

SHIP Partners

Alliance for a Healthier Generation - Arkansas
Arkansas Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics
Arkansas Center for Health Improvement (ACHI)
Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention (ArCOP)
Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese
Arkansas Department of Agriculture
Arkansas Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)
Arkansas Department of Health
Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Childcare and Early Childhood Education (DCCESE)
Arkansas Department of Human Services, SNAP
Arkansas Deptartment of Transportation
Arkansas Farm to School
Arkansas Heart Hospital
Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance (AHRA)
Arkansas Minority Health Commission
ArCare
Boys and Girls Clubs
Center for Childhood Obesity Prevention - AR Children’s
Consulate of Mexico in Little Rock
Culinary Institutes
Growing Healthy Communities (GHC)/mayors
Healthy Active Arkansas
Hometown Health Improvement Coalitions
Hospitals
Library System
Metroplan
Natural Wonders, AR Children's
Univ of AR Cooperative Extension Services
University of Arkansas Medical School College of Public Health

Resources

Why Is This Important?

Obesity is a complex health condition with biological, economic, environmental, individual and societal causes. Known contributing factors to obesity include social and physical environment, genetics, prenatal and early life influences, and behaviors such as poor diet and physical inactivity.

Adults who have obesity, when compared with adults at a healthy weight, are more likely to have a decreased quality of life and an increased risk of developing serious health conditions, including hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke, sleep apnea and breathing problems, some cancers and mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. Weight stigma, or discrimination and stereotyping based on an individual’s weight, may also negatively influence psychological and physical health. Children with obesity are more likely to be bullied and to have obesity as adults.

The costs associated with obesity and obesity-related health problems are staggering. One study estimated the medical costs of obesity to be $342.2 billion (in 2013 dollars). Beyond direct medical costs, the indirect costs of decreased productivity tied to obesity are estimated at $8.65 billion per year among American workers.

About 2 in 5 adults and 1 in 5 children and adolescents in the United States have obesity,¹and many others are overweight.

Definition: Percentage of adults with a body mass index of 30.0 or higher based on reported height and weight

Data Source & Year(s): CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2020

Suggested Citation: America's Health Rankings analysis of CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, Accessed 2021.

A healthy body weight, as an outcome of good nutrition and physical activity, is important for a person's overall health and well-being. A healthy body weight can help reduce the risk of developing serious health conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer. Healthy eating, regular physical activity, and achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is important to managing health conditions so they do not worsen over time.

Healthy weight loss isn't just about a "diet" or "program". It's about lifestyle changes in daily eating and exercise habits. Good habits include:

Choose minimally processed whole foods with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains
Drink water or other beverages that are naturally calorie-free
Limit sugar-sweetened beverages, processed meats, refined and highly processed foods
Avoid overeating by choosing small portions and eating slowly, eat at home, and eat mindfully, enjoying your food
Stay active. If there was a "magic bullet" for good health, physical activity would be it
Limit screen time
Get enough sleep
Relax. Control stress with regular physical activity

Clear Impact Suite is an easy-to-use, web-based software platform that helps your staff collaborate with external stakeholders and community partners by utilizing the combination of data collection, performance reporting, and program planning.