Obesity is a common and costly chronic disease among adults and children.  Obesity is associated with leading causes of death, such as stroke and diabetes. 

In 2021, 33.9% of United States adults and 30.4% of Connecticut adults were obese.  The prevalence of obesity among Connecticut adults has increased over time.

To address obesity, the DPH Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Program has been working with Connecticut communities to implement sustainable, environmental change strategies and policies which ultimately increase access to healthy food options and physical activity opportunities for community residents. Such strategies and policies involve long-range planning including community assessments, strategy/policy selection to meet identified needs, pilot testing evidence based strategies to inform implementation, and evaluation.

In 2011, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) began using a new weighting methodology (raking) and added cell phone only respondents. Thus, data from 2010 and earlier cannot be compared with data from 2011 and beyond. While the prevalence of obesity among Connecticut adults increased from 2011 through 2018, the prevalence remains significantly lower than the national adult obesity prevalence.

These data are current as of December 2022.  New data will be available in the Fall of 2023.  The data are updated annually.

The target was developed as part of Healthy Connecticut 2020 and Live Healthy Connecticut, A Coordinated Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Plan.

Connecticut Department of Public Health; Connecticut Department of Social Services; Connecticut Department of
Agriculture; Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development; Connecticut Department of
Energy and Environmental Protection; State Department of Education; Connecticut Department of Transportation;
Connecticut Department of Children and Families; State Legislature; local public health agencies; health care
providers including nurses and primary care physicians; health professional associations; food industry; other
businesses and worksite wellness programs; educational providers; other organizations and coalitions focused on
nutrition, dietetics, and physical activity; community service providers; philanthropic and research organizations
that address obesity; schools of public health, allied health, and medicine; and others.

CDC identifies obesity as a "winnable battle".

The National Prevention Strategy recommends the following to promote healthy eating and active living:
1. Encourage community design and development that supports physical activity.
2. Promote and strengthen school and early learning policies and programs that increase physical activity.
3. Facilitate access to safe, accessible, and affordable places for physical activity.
4. Support workplace policies and programs that increase physical activity.
5. Assess physical activity levels and provide education, counseling, and referrals.
6. Increasing access to healthy and affordable foods in communities.
7. Implementing organizational and programmatic nutrition standards and policies.
8. Improve the nutritional quality of the food supply.
9. Help people recognize and make healthy food and beverage choices.
10. Support policies and programs that promote breastfeeding.
11. Enhance food safety.

SHIP Strategies:

Work with hospitals, workplaces and health care providers to adopt and implement breastfeeding friendly practices

Actively participate on and provide expert information and guidance to various task forces aiming to address obesity

Continue to educate and inform stakeholders on the importance of addressing the root causes of obesity

Advocate for: universal screening for overweight and obesity; appropriate reimbursement for nutritional counseling, medical follow-up, and weight loss programs; food retailers to post nutritional information re: food labeling and menu labeling, and information re:healthy options; and encouraging food rating system
Increase healthy food options in vending machines by reducing the price of healthy choices and increasing the proportion of healthy choices
Increase availability of water and promote its consumption
Conduct and provide education and training about high blood pressure and high cholesterol and self-referral
Educate providers concerning cognitive behavioral therapy and other proven strategies to promote healthy behavioral change
Communicate and educate on the benefits of healthy eating and active living through multiple modes and to multiple audiences and settings
Work with communities, businesses, and local/State agencies to create and promote active living options
Implement physical activity programs through municipal and county government
Develop and adapt Electronic Medical Records, and disseminate decision support tools to providers
Work with communities, businesses, and local/state agencies to develop community gardens and farmers markets

For more information, refer to Live Healthy Connecticut, the Connecticut Coordinated Chronic Disease Plan.