Arkansas

Arkansas has the third highest adult obesity rate in the nation. Arkansas's adult obesity rate is currently percent, up from 21.9 percent in 2000 and from percent in 1990. Arkansas also has the obesity rate for youth ages 10 to 17. This state profile includes additional data on adult and childhood obesity, obesity-related health issues, and policy actions Arkansas is taking to prevent and reduce obesity. According to the most recent data, adult obesity rates now exceed 35 percent in five states, 30 percent in 25 states and 25 percent in 46 states. View adult obesity rates for all states.

Source: Trust for America's Health and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The State of Obesity 2017 [PDF]. Washington, D.C.: 2017.

* Represents the combined rates of overweight and obese 10-17 year-olds

Sources: Current diabetes (2016) and hypertension (2015) rates are from The State of Obesity 2017 [PDF]; 2010 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, arthritis and obesity-related cancer numbers and projected cases of obesity-related health problems related are from F as in Fat 2012 [PDF].

State Policies to Prevent Obesity

Early Childhood	U.S.	Arkansas	Yes   No
Breastfeeding State has regulations requiring licensed ECE programs to allow or encourage onsite breastfeeding	22 + D.C.		View all states
Defined Physical Activity State has set a definition for physical activity in ECE settings	9 + D.C.		View all states
Drinking Water State has regulations requiring licensed ECE programs to make drinking water available to children	43		View all states
Healthy Eating State has regulations requiring licensed ECE programs to have healthy eating policies	50 + D.C.		View all states
Link to CACFP Updates State has licensing laws linked to the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) standards that automatically update	23 + D.C.		View all states
Nutrition Standards State has regulations requiring licensed ECE programs to provide meals and snacks that meet dietary guidelines	26 + D.C.		View all states
Physical Activity State has regulations requiring licensed ECE programs to have time for daily physical activity	50 + D.C.		View all states
Private Breastfeeding Space State has regulations requiring licensed ECE programs to have a private space available for mothers to breastfeed infants	4 + D.C.		View all states
Screen Time State sets limits for screen time in ECE settings, or has regulations requiring ECE centers to set limits.	29 + D.C.		View all states
Schools	U.S.	Arkansas	Yes   No
Elementary School Physical Education State requires elementary school students to participate in physical education	38 + D.C.		View all states
High School Physical Education State requires high school students to participate in physical education	42 + D.C.		View all states
Middle School Physical Education State requires middle school students to participate in physical education	36 + D.C.		View all states
PE Time Requirement, Elementary Schools State requires elementary school students to participate in a minimum amount of time of physical education	18 + D.C.		View all states
PE Time Requirement, High Schools State requires high school students to participate in a minimum amount of time of physical education	6		View all states
PE Time Requirement, Middle Schools State requires middle school students to participate in a minimum amount of time of physical education	14 + D.C.		View all states
Recess State requires recess in elementary schools	5		View all states
Safe Routes to Schools State has statutes or regulations on Safe Routes to School	16		View all states
Shared Use of Facilities State has policy for communities to access school recreational facilities outside school hours.	36 + D.C.		View all states
Community Eligibility Provision Percentage of eligible schools in the state adopting the community eligibility provision		28.5%	View all states
Farm-to-School Programs Percentage of school districts in the state participating in farm-to-school activities		22%	View all states
School Nutrition Standards Percentage of school food authorities in state meeting updated meal nutrition standards		98.0%	View all states
Community	U.S.	Arkansas	Yes   No
Complete Streets State has adopted a complete streets policy	33 + D.C.		View all states
Healthy Food Financing Initiatives State has healthy food financing funding	37 + D.C.		View all states
Preemption State has laws preempting local policies related to nutrition	9		View all states
Child Food Insecurity Rate Percentage of children in state that are food insecure		25.0%	View all states
Overall Food Insecurity Rate Percentage of the state population that is food insecure		18.4%	View all states
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Percentage of state residents participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)		14.0%	View all states