Kentucky State Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Profile

Many American communities lack environments that could support healthy diets and regular physical activity. Healthy dietary and physical activity practices can lower the risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers.^1,2

In addition, excess calorie intake and physical inactivity contribute to obesity, which is associated with some of the leading preventable chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. Among adults, the medical costs associated with obesity are an estimated $147 billion.^1,2,3

Public health approaches can help make healthy options available, accessible, and affordable. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO) supports the nation to establish sustainable programs to improve dietary quality, increase physical activity, and reduce obesity and overweight. DNPAO funds and works with state health departments through a cooperative agreement (State Public Health Actions to Prevent and Control Diabetes, Heart Disease, Obesity and Associated Risk Factors and Promote School Health program).

This profile highlights data on dietary quality, physical activity, and obesity in Kentucky and select activities funded with this cooperative agreement. For more information about CDC’s work to support healthy eating and physical activity, please see the DNPAO website.

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Population Statistics

Estimated Population of Kentucky: 4,425,092⁴

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Adult Statistics

Dietary Behaviors⁵

• 46.2% of adults reported consuming fruit less than one time daily.
• 24.9% of adults reported consuming vegetables less than one time daily.

Physical Activity⁵

• 46.0% of adults achieved the equivalent of at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week.

Overweight and Obesity⁵

• 35.1% of adults were overweight.
• 31.6% of adults had obesity.

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Adolescent Statistics

Dietary Behaviors⁵

• 44.6% of adolescents reported consuming fruit less than one time daily.
• 42.7% of adolescents reported consuming vegetables less than one time daily.

Physical Activity⁵

• 22.5% of adolescents were physically active at least 60 minutes per day on all 7 days in the past week.

Overweight and Obesity⁵

• 15.4% of adolescents were overweight.
• 18.0% of adolescents had obesity.

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Child Statistics

Breastfeeding⁵

• 66.1% of infants were ever breastfed.
• 37.5% of infants were breastfed for at least 6 months.

Overweight and Obesity⁵

• 13.7% of children aged 2 to 4 years in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program were overweight.
• 13.5% of children aged 2 to 4 years in WIC had obesity.

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State Activities

Kentucky worked on the following select activities during the first 2 years of the State Public Health Actions program.

• Developed and issued an Early Care and Education (ECE) Call to Action Vision document that focuses on state ECE strategies including training, family engagement and policies. Nearly 30 organizations pledged their support of the call to action message, goals, and strategies.
• Partnered with the Kentucky Transportation Department to provide training and funding to 18 communities to develop pedestrian plans.
• Collaborated with the Lexington Tweens Coalition to develop and implement the Better Bites healthy dining program in all three state executive branch cafeterias.With support from the health department and the Department of Parks, the Better Bites program is expanding into 17 state park resorts.
• Developed the Kentucky Infant Safe and Strong (KISS) recognition program to identify birthing hospitals taking steps to implement evidence-based practices to reduce infant mortality risks and to earn Baby-Friendly© Hospital designation by Baby-Friendly USA.

Program Highlights

• Better Bites Program Offers Kentucky Employees Healthier Meal Options [126KB]

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