The obesity and overweight measurement is directly linked to diet and exercise, as a poor diet with excess calories, in combination with a sedentary lifestyle, increases the risk of overweight and obesity. Polk County has seen an overall increasing overweight and obesity trend, with 67% of respondents' height and weight measurements indicating overweight or obesity. This increase parallels national trends and indicates a need for interventions to prevent obesity and overweight, as well as the resulting health consequences.

What's Helping? These are the positive forces at work in our community and beyond that influence this issue.

Healthy Eating

• School nutrition education
• Healthy food in schools
• Increasing healthy food distribution sites
• Offering healthy lifestyle classes

Active Living

• Improved hiking trails
• Access to (affordable) gyms
• Parks and walking/biking trails
• Availability of free activity opportunities

What's Hurting? These are the negative forces at work in our community and beyond that influence this issue in our community.

Healthy Eating

• Cost of healthy foods
• Lack of local gardens
• Lack of transportation
• Generational obesity
• Unhealthy cultural diets
• Food insecurity

Active Living

• Lack of funding for infrastructure
• Lack of knowledge of available programs
• Lack of transportation
• Previous activity habits
• Excess screen time and limited exercise in children
• Post-hurricane park and trail closures