Nutrition & Physical Activity
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Did You Know? is a weekly feature from the Office for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support to inform your prevention activities. We invite you to read, share, and take action!
View the Current Did You Know?
March 17, 2017
- About 86 million American adults have prediabetes [PDF-462KB], which can lead to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
- Lifestyle changes, like healthy diet and exercise, can help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.
- Healthcare providers can use CDC tools to screen patients at risk for prediabetes and refer them to a CDC-recognized diabetes prevention lifestyle change program.
January 27, 2017
- CDC’s newly released Winnable Battles final report shows meaningful improvements in key public health areas.
- Since 2009, rates of teen births and youth and adult smoking have declined significantly, and between 2008 and 2014, central line-associated bloodstream infections in acute care hospitals decreased by 50%.
- A color-coded dashboard shows where more work is needed, especially in obesity, foodborne illness, and motor vehicle injuries.
October 28, 2016
- People are living longer and better with diabetes, but that means they can have diabetes-related health complications longer, too.
- Controlling blood sugar levels can help prevent or delay complications, and early detection and treatment of complications can keep them from getting worse.
- Healthcare and public health professionals can support patients by sharing this collection of articles created for people at risk for or living with diabetes.
September 30, 2016
- Despite the benefits of regular exercise, 31 million adults aged 50 years or older are inactive.
- Many chronic conditions can be prevented or managed [PDF-1.6MB] with physical activity.
- Communities can create a culture that supports physical activity by making design enhancements and offering healthy lifestyle programs.
April 29, 2016
- Birth facilities that support breastfeeding can increase the likelihood that new mothers will start and continue breastfeeding, which can improve the child’s health.
- Data from CDC’s Prevention Status Reports show that in many states, birth facilities are improving breastfeeding support; in 2015, 15 states rated “green” on their breastfeeding support practices, up from only 5 states in 2013.
- You can see how your state rates on policies and practices to address nutrition and other important health concerns in the latest Prevention Status Reports.
October 30, 2015
- Only 1 in 2 adults and 1 in 4 high school students in the United States meet the guidelines for aerobic physical activity.
- Physical activity, such as brisk walking, can help lower risk for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression, and some cancers.
- The US Surgeon General is calling on the nation to better support walking and walkable communities [PDF-2.6MB] where people live, work, and play.
October 9, 2015
- Hospital practices in the first hours and days after birth can influence how babies are fed, according to the latest CDC Vital Signs.
- In 2013, 54% of hospitals were using a majority of the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding—up from only 29% in 2007.
- Hospitals can further improve their practices to support breastfeeding by taking recommended steps to become Baby-Friendly.
June 12, 2015
- HEADS UP! About 60%–70% of young athletes might try to hide concussion symptoms[PDF-244KB] from their coach and keep on playing.
- Recognizing and responding to concussions when they first occur can prevent further injury or even death.
- You can customize and share CDC materials—including tools for parents, coaches, and other school professionals—to improve concussion reporting, recovery, and safety.
September 12, 2014
- Nine in 10 US children eat too much sodium, which can lead to high blood pressure [PDF-830KB].
- Every meal can add sodium to a child’s diet—more than 40% of sodium comes from 10 common foods.
- Communities can help by supporting [PDF-238KB] sodium-reduction standards and strategies [PDF-219KB] in restaurant meals, processed foods, and school meals and snacks [PDF-1.8MB].
September 12, 2014
- Nine in 10 US children eat too much sodium, which can lead to high blood pressure [PDF-830KB].
- Every meal can add sodium to a child’s diet—more than 40% of sodium comes from 10 common foods.
- Communities can help by supporting [PDF-238KB] sodium-reduction standards and strategies [PDF-219KB] in restaurant meals, processed foods, and school meals and snacks [PDF-1.8MB].
August 8, 2014
- Children are eating more fruits, but not more vegetables.
- Six in ten children still aren’t eating enough fruits, and nine in ten aren’t eating enough vegetables.
- Schools and childcare providers can help close this gap by meeting federal nutrition standards and letting children grow, taste, and prepare their own fruits and vegetables on site.
May 9, 2014
- According to the new CDC Vital Signs report, nearly half of adults with disabilities get no aerobic physical activity—an important health behavior to help avoid and manage many chronic diseases.
- Adults aged 18–64 years who have a disability and get no aerobic physical activity are 50% more likely to have heart disease, stroke, diabetes, or cancer than those who get the recommended amount of physical activity.
- Doctors and other health professionals can use CDC’s physical activity and disabilities resources page to recommend physical activity among adults with disabilities.
April 25, 2014
- Obesity rates among American children and adolescents are high. About 17%, or 12.5 million, are obese.
- Experts recommend physical activity requirements in childcare facilities and schools, yet few states have such policies.
- You can find out how your state rates regarding physical activity requirements and other important public health topics on the Prevention Status Reports state page.
February 14, 2014
- Nearly a quarter of sodium in the American diet comes from restaurant foods, so choose wisely to reduce sodium from menu to mouth [PDF-320KB].
- About 9 in 10 Americans consume too much sodium [PDF-1.7MB], and too much sodium increases risk for high blood pressure.
- State and local health departments can work with restaurants to help reduce the amount of sodium in food and keep people healthier.
November 22, 2013
- CDC’s Winnable Battles Progress Report, 2010–2015 [PDF-785KB] describes the progress being made in addressing these critical public health challenges.
- CDC and partners are on track to decrease teen birth rates by 20% [PDF-420KB], reduce motor vehicle crash fatalities by 31% [PDF-453KB], and reduce certain healthcare-associated infections in hospitals by 60% [PDF-178KB] by the 2015 target date.
- Identifying and focusing on Winnable Battles has helped promote progress. CDC will continue to work closely with partners at the national, state, and local levels to achieve Winnable Battle targets.
August 9, 2013
- Obesity rates among low-income preschool children declined slightly from 2008 through 2011 in 19 of 43 states and US territories studied.
- Children who are overweight or obese as preschoolers are 5 times as likely as normal-weight children to be overweight or obese as adults.
- State and local officials can use recommended strategies [PDF-2.6MB] to help drive down rates of childhood obesity in their communities.
March 15, 2013
- CDC’s new report, Competitive Foods and Beverages in U.S. Schools: A State Policy Analysis [PDF-13MB], shows that 39 states have policies for snacks sold in competition with school meals.
- Schools, teachers, staff members, parents, and students can support and develop strong nutrition standards for foods and beverages in schools.
- CDC provides guidelines and strategies to help schools create supportive environments for students to eat healthy foods and stay active.
August 10, 2012
- 6 in 10 adults now report walking, making it the most popular form of physical activity.
- Adult walkers are more likely to get their recommended 2½ hours (150 minutes) per week of physical activity.
- State and local governments are working to create more walkable communities.
April 6, 2012
- More than one-third of U.S. adults [PDF-528KB] (35.7%) are obese.
- Obesity costs this country about $150 billion a year — nearly 10% of the national medical budget.
- HBO will air "The Weight of the Nation" documentary series on May 14-15.
February 10, 2012
- 9 in 10 Americans eat too much sodium, but it’s not coming from the salt shaker at the table.
- Most of the sodium we eat comes from only 10 types of common foods.
- State and local health departments are increasing public awareness about the amount of sodium added to processed and packaged foods and the health outcomes of a high-sodium diet.
October 21, 2011
- Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years.
- Schools can help students adopt healthy behaviors that are key to preventing obesity by implementing CDC's new school health guidelines.
- Presentation materials are available to help you promote and implement healthy eating and physical activity policies and practices for students.
October 14, 2011
- 50 million U.S. adults have doctor-diagnosed arthritis and nearly two-thirds of them are under age 65.
- Arthritis is the most common cause of disability in the United States.
- Low–cost self management education and physical activity programs led by trained instructors are available in communities across the country to help people gain control of their arthritis.
August 26, 2011
- Four simple health behaviors can lead to a longer life.
- People who engaged in all four healthy behaviors were 63 percent less likely to die early, compared to people who did not practice any of the behaviors.
- Measuring health-related quality of life indicators can help health agencies determine the burden of preventable disease in their jurisdiction.
August 19, 2011
- CDC released the 2010 School Health Profiles this week; there are substantial differences in what states, cities, and territories are doing to promote student health and well-being.
- The majority of secondary schools in 13 states, for example, do not sell less nutritious foods and beverages; see how your jurisdiction is doing.
- You can support youth in making healthy choices by helping schools establish and enforce strong nutrition standards.
August 5, 2011
- Most U.S. hospitals do not fully support mothers to be able to breastfeed.
- Breastfeeding helps protect against childhood obesity.
- Hospitals can improve maternity care practices by adopting the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.
April 29, 2011
- This week CDC released the first Children's Food Environment State Indicator Report.
- Communities, child care facilities and schools all have roles to play to improve children's food choices and influences.
- CDC provides strategies and solutions to promote healthy eating and fight childhood obesity.
April 15, 2011
- Minority health and school food are linked; learn how.
- Black females and Mexican-American males experience the highest rates of obesity among people ≤20 years.
- The HHS Disparities Action Plan, released last week, promotes evidence-based and integrated approaches to achieving health equity.
February 18, 2011
- 10% to 43% of adults in counties across the United States report no leisure-time physical activity. How physically active is your community?
- Zoning can be used to address this health issue by supporting sidewalks, parks and recreation.
- The Guide to Community Preventive Services recommends communities create or enhance opportunities for physical activity.
February 4, 2011
- 77% of your sodium intake comes from eating processed or restaurant foods.
- The Vital Signs town hall teleconference on February 8th highlighted sodium reduction initiatives and other strategies to prevent the leading cause of death.
- New dietary guidelines were released by USDA and HHS on January 31, 2011.
January 21, 2011
- The Surgeon General released the first call to action to support breastfeeding on January 20, 2011.
- Both babies and mothers gain many benefits from breastfeeding.
- The CDC Guide to Breastfeeding Interventions provides guidance in selecting evidence-based and promising breastfeeding promotion and support activities.
Did You Know? information and web links are current as of their publication date. They may become outdated over time.
- Page last reviewed: November 9, 2015
- Page last updated: March 17, 2017
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