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The State of Obesity in

Washington

Washington has the 32nd highest adult obesity rate in the nation, according to The State of Obesity: Better Policies for a Healthier America released August 2017. Washington's adult obesity rate is currently 28.6 percent, up from 18.4 percent in 2000 and from 10.1 percent in 1990. This state profile includes data on adult obesity, childhood obesity, and obesity-related health issues in Washington. New this year, it also highlights policy actions Washington 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

Adult Obesity in Washington New Data

Tweet thisCurrent adult obesity rate (2016)

28.6%

Rank among states (2016)

32/51

Adult obesity rate in Washington (1990-2016)

Obesity rate by age (2016)

18-25 16.4% 26-44 29.6% 45-64 32.1% 65+ 28.3%

Obesity rate by race (2016)

White 28.2% Black 34.2% Latino 34.4%

Obesity rate by gender (2012)

Men 27.4% Women 26.4%

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

Childhood Overweight and Obesity in Washington New Data

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*

Combined overweight & obesity rate (2016)

25.5%

Rank among states (2016)

44/51

Historical rates (2004-2016)

Source: stateofobesity.org/children1017

High school students

Current obesity rate (2015)

no data

Rank among states (2015)

no data 

Historical rates (1999-2015)

Source: stateofobesity.org/high-school-obesity

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

Obesity-Related Health Issues in Washington New Data

Diabetes

Current adult diabetes rate (2016)

9.4%

Rank among states (2016)

34/51

Diabetes cases in 2010

550,296

Projected cases of diabetes in 2030 at current pace

844,602

Historical adult diabetes rates (1990-2016)

Hypertension

Current adult hypertension rate (2015)

29.7%

Rank among states (2015)

37/51

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 (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. Washington Icon: Yes Yes   Icon: No No

Breastfeeding

State has regulations requiring licensed ECE programs to allow or encourage onsite breastfeeding

 22 + D.C. Icon: No View all states

Defined Physical Activity

State has set a definition for physical activity in ECE settings

 9 + D.C. Icon: No View all states

Drinking Water

State has regulations requiring licensed ECE programs to make drinking water available to children

 43 Icon: No View all states

Healthy Eating

State has regulations requiring licensed ECE programs to have healthy eating policies

 50 + D.C. Icon: Yes 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. Icon: Yes View all states

Nutrition Standards

State has regulations requiring licensed ECE programs to provide meals and snacks that meet dietary guidelines

 26 + D.C. Icon: No View all states

Physical Activity

State has regulations requiring licensed ECE programs to have time for daily physical activity

 50 + D.C. Icon: Yes 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. Icon: No 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. Icon: No View all states
Schools U.S. Washington Icon: Yes Yes   Icon: No No

Elementary School Physical Education

State requires elementary school students to participate in physical education

 38 + D.C. Icon: Yes View all states

High School Physical Education

State requires high school students to participate in physical education

 42 + D.C. Icon: Yes View all states

Middle School Physical Education

State requires middle school students to participate in physical education

 36 + D.C. Icon: Yes 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. Icon: Yes 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 Icon: No 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. Icon: Yes View all states

Recess

State requires recess in elementary schools

 5 Icon: No View all states

Safe Routes to Schools

State has statutes or regulations on Safe Routes to School

 16 Icon: Yes View all states

Shared Use of Facilities

State has policy for communities to access school recreational facilities outside school hours.

 36 + D.C. Icon: Yes View all states

Community Eligibility Provision

Percentage of eligible schools in the state adopting the community eligibility provision

  32.3% View all states

Farm-to-School Programs

Percentage of school districts in the state participating in farm-to-school activities

   49% View all states

School Nutrition Standards

Percentage of school food authorities in state meeting updated meal nutrition standards

   99.9% View all states
Community U.S. Washington Icon: Yes Yes   Icon: No No

Complete Streets

State has adopted a complete streets policy

 33 + D.C. Icon: Yes View all states

Healthy Food Financing Initiative Grants

State awarded Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) grants, from 2011 to 2016

 30 Icon: No View all states

Preemption

State has laws preempting local policies related to nutrition

 9 Icon: No View all states

Child Food Insecurity Rate

Percentage of children in state that are food insecure

   19.0% View all states

Overall Food Insecurity Rate

Percentage of the state population that is food insecure

   12.8% View all states

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Percentage of state residents participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

   14.0% View all states