Data Summary

Overweight and Obesity in Georgia

  • 63% of adult Georgians are overweight (36%) or obese (27%)*

  • 33% of middle school students are at risk for overweight (17%) or overweight (16%)†

  • 27% of high school students are at risk for overweight (15%) or overweight (12%)†

  • 28% of WIC children aged 2-5 are at risk for overweight (15%) or overweight (13%)‡


Behavioral Factors

  • Only 42% of adults are regularly active*

  • 71% of middle school students and 61% of high school students are vigorously active†

  • 49% of middle school students and 42% of high school students watch 3 or more hours of television per school day†

  • 23% of adults eat the recommended 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily*

  • Only 18% of high school students eat the recommended 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily†

  • 63% of mothers initiate breastfeeding and only 30% breastfed for at least 6 months§

  • 53% of WIC participants initiate breastfeeding and only 16% breastfed for at least 6 months‡


Cost of Obesity

  • The annual cost of obesity in Georgia is estimated at $2.1 billion ($250 per Georgian each year), which includes direct health care costs and lost productivity from morbidity and mortality (indirect costs).

* 2005 Georgia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

† 2005 Georgia Student Health Survey

‡ 2004 Georgia Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System

§ 2004 National Immunization Survey

Definitions of overweight and obesity:

Adults - Overweight: BMI 25.0-29.9, Obese: BMI ≥ 30.0

Children and Youth – At-risk for overweight: BMI-for-age ≥ 85th percentile < 95th percentile,
Overweight: BMI-for-age ≥ 95th percentile