Washington
Washington has the 13th lowest adult obesity rate in the nation, and the third lowest obesity rate for youth ages 10 to 17. Washington's adult obesity rate is currently 27.7%, up from 18.4% in 2000 and from 10.1% in 1990. This state profile includes data on adult and childhood obesity, obesity-related health issues, and policy actions Washington is taking to prevent and reduce obesity. According to the most recent data, adult obesity rates now exceed 35% in seven states, 30% in 29 states and 25% in 48 states. View adult obesity rates for all states.
Adult Obesity in Washington New Data
Current adult obesity rate (2017)
27.7%
Rank among states (2017)
39/51
Adult obesity rate in Washington (1990-2017)
Obesity rate by age (2017)
Obesity rate by race (2017)
Obesity rate by gender (2017)
Note: A change in methodology makes direct comparisons to data collected prior to 2011 difficult. Read the full rates and ranks methodology for more information. Source: Trust for America's Health and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The State of Obesity 2018. Washington, D.C.: 2018.

Childhood Overweight and Obesity in Washington New Data
Childhood Obesity Stories: Washington
Declining Obesity Among 2- to 4-year-olds: In Washington, obesity rates declined among 2- to 4-year-olds enrolled in WIC from 2010 to 2014. The rate of obesity dropped from 14.9% to 13.6%. Read More
2- to 4-year-old WIC participants
Current obesity rate (2014)
13.6%
Rank among states (2014)
30/51
Historical rates (2000-2014)
Source: stateofobesity.org/wic
10- to 17-year-olds
Current obesity rate (2016-2017)
10.1%
Rank among states (2016-2017)
49/51
Historical rates (2016-2017)
Source: stateofobesity.org/children1017
High school students
Current obesity rate (2017)
no data
Rank among states (2017)
no data
Historical rates (1999-2017)

Obesity-Related Health Issues in Washington New Data
Diabetes
Current adult diabetes rate (2017)
9.1%
Rank among states (2017)
38/51
Diabetes cases in 2010
550,296
Projected cases of diabetes in 2030 at current pace
844,602
Historical adult diabetes rates (1990-2017)
Hypertension
Current adult hypertension rate (2017)
29.5%
Rank among states (2017)
42/51
Hypertension cases in 2010
1,282,066
Projected cases of hypertension in 2030 at current pace
1,760,032
Historical adult hypertension rates (1990-2015)
Heart Disease
Heart disease cases in 2010
378,316
Projected cases of heart disease in 2030
1,827,582
Arthritis
Arthritis cases in 2010
1,294,975
Projected cases of arthritis in 2030
1,136,450
Obesity-Related Cancer
Obesity-related cancer cases in 2010
99,240
Projected cases of cancer in 2030
261,522
Sources: Current diabetes (2017) and hypertension (2017) rates are from The State of Obesity 2018; 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.

State Policies to Prevent Obesity
Early Childhood | U.S. | Washington | Yes No |
---|---|---|---|
BreastfeedingState has regulations requiring licensed ECE programs to allow or encourage onsite breastfeeding |
22 + D.C. | View all states | |
Defined Physical ActivityState has set a definition for physical activity in ECE settings |
9 + D.C. | View all states | |
Drinking WaterState has regulations requiring licensed ECE programs to make drinking water available to children |
43 | View all states | |
Healthy EatingState has regulations requiring licensed ECE programs to have healthy eating policies |
50 + D.C. | View all states | |
Link to CACFP UpdatesState has licensing laws linked to the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) standards that automatically update |
23 + D.C. | View all states | |
Nutrition StandardsState has regulations requiring licensed ECE programs to provide meals and snacks that meet dietary guidelines |
26 + D.C. | View all states | |
Physical ActivityState has regulations requiring licensed ECE programs to have time for daily physical activity |
50 + D.C. | View all states | |
Private Breastfeeding SpaceState has regulations requiring licensed ECE programs to have a private space available for mothers to breastfeed infants |
4 + D.C. | View all states | |
Screen TimeState 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. | Washington | Yes No |
Elementary School Physical EducationState requires elementary school students to participate in physical education |
38 + D.C. | View all states | |
High School Physical EducationState requires high school students to participate in physical education |
42 + D.C. | View all states | |
Middle School Physical EducationState requires middle school students to participate in physical education |
36 + D.C. | View all states | |
PE Time Requirement, Elementary SchoolsState 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 SchoolsState requires high school students to participate in a minimum amount of time of physical education |
6 | View all states | |
PE Time Requirement, Middle SchoolsState requires middle school students to participate in a minimum amount of time of physical education |
14 + D.C. | View all states | |
RecessState requires recess in elementary schools |
5 | View all states | |
Safe Routes to SchoolsState has statutes or regulations on Safe Routes to School |
16 | View all states | |
Shared Use of FacilitiesState has policy for communities to access school recreational facilities outside school hours. |
36 + D.C. | View all states | |
Community Eligibility ProvisionPercentage of eligible schools in the state adopting the community eligibility provision |
32.3% | View all states | |
Farm-to-School ProgramsPercentage of school districts in the state participating in farm-to-school activities |
49% | View all states | |
School Nutrition StandardsPercentage of school food authorities in state meeting updated meal nutrition standards |
99.9% | View all states | |
Community | U.S. | Washington | Yes No |
Complete StreetsState has adopted a complete streets policy |
33 + D.C. | View all states | |
Healthy Food Financing InitiativesState has healthy food financing funding |
37 + D.C. | View all states | |
PreemptionState has laws preempting local policies related to nutrition |
9 | View all states | |
Child Food Insecurity RatePercentage of children in state that are food insecure |
19.0% | View all states | |
Overall Food Insecurity RatePercentage of the state population that is food insecure |
12.8% | View all states | |
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance ProgramPercentage of state residents participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) |
14.0% | View all states |