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Overweight & Obesity

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TWO-THIRDS OF ADULTS ARE OVERWEIGHT OR OBESE

A sedentary lifestyle and obesity are risk factors for many health problems and premature death. Children need a nutritious diet to support healthy growth and development. Proper nutrition, which includes limited consumption of sugary drinks, can help reduce the risk of developing obesity and other chronic diseases later in life.[1] This indicator measures the weight status of adults and children as well as the number of sugary drinks consumed by children.

TREND

In 2021, 68.0% of adults in San Bernardino County were overweight (32.2%) or obese (35.8%). This is higher than in California, where 62.0% of adults are overweight (33.8%) or obese (28.2%). In 2020, 72.7% of adults in San Bernardino were considered overweight or obese.

NEARLY 7-IN-10 ADULTS ARE OVERWEIGHT OR OBESE
Percentage of Adults Overweight or Obese in San Bernardino County and California, 2012-2021

Source: University of California, Los Angeles, Center for Health Policy Research, California Health Interview Survey (www.chis.ucla.edu)

Children under 18 years of age in San Bernardino County are more likely to be overweight for their age than in California overall (26.9% and 17.0%, respectively).

MORE THAN 1-IN-4 CHILDREN MAY BE OVERWEIGHT FOR THEIR AGE
Percentage of Children Considered Overweight for their Age in San Bernardino County and California, 2021

Note: This measure only factors in weight, not height. Data prior to 2021 are considered unstable and thus not included.
Source: University of California, Los Angeles, Center for Health Policy Research, California Health Interview Survey (www.chis.ucla.edu)

In the California Health Interview Survey, parents are asked if their child drank one or more sugary drinks the day prior to being surveyed. While a higher proportion of San Bernardino County children did not have a sugary drink than California children (52.5% and 51.0%, respectively), the county had a higher proportion of children who had two or more sugary drinks compared to California (23.3% and 19.0%, respectively).

ALMOST ONE-QUARTER OF CHILDREN HAVE TWO OR MORE SUGARY DRINKS IN A DAY
Percentage of Children who Drank Sugary Drinks the Day Prior to Being Surveyed in San Bernardino County and California, 2021

Note: Asked of parents of children ages 2 through 17.
Source: University of California, Los Angeles, Center for Health Policy Research, California Health Interview Survey (www.chis.ucla.edu)

[1] Muth ND, Dietz WH, Magge SN, et al. AAP American Academy of Pediatrics, AAP Section on Obesity, AAP Committee on Nutrition, AAP American Heart Association. Public Policies to Reduce Sugary Drink Consumption in Children and Adolescents. Pediatrics. 2019;143(4):e20190282