Good nutrition is vital in keeping individuals and future generations healthy. A balanced diet helps children grow and develop appropriately while lowering their risk of chronic illnesses. For adults, eating nutritious foods can lead to a longer life and reduce the likelihood of obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. It can also help those already managing chronic conditions avoid complications and improve their health.
Unfortunately, when healthy food options aren’t readily available, people often eat high-calorie, low-nutrition foods. Low-income communities and some racial and ethnic groups frequently face barriers to accessing affordable, healthy foods, which can lead to poor dietary choices.
Most Americans struggle to maintain a healthy diet, consuming excessive amounts of sodium, saturated fats, and sugar. This increases their risk of chronic diseases. Shockingly, only 1 in 10 adolescents and adults eat enough fruits or vegetables. Additionally, 6 in 10 young people (ages 2 to 19) and 5 in 10 adults consume at least one sugary drink daily.
The CDC promotes breastfeeding and increases access to healthier food and drink choices in schools, early-care facilities, workplaces, and communities to address these issues.
Fast Facts
In the United States:
3 in 4 infants are not exclusively breastfed for six months.
9 in 10 Americans consume too much sodium.
1 in 6 pregnant women have dangerously low iron levels.
Nearly $173 billion is spent annually on obesity-related health care.
The Harmful Effects of Poor Nutrition
Overweight and Obesity
A nutritious diet, combined with regular physical activity and adequate sleep, helps children grow healthy and reduces their risk of becoming overweight or obese. Currently, 20% of young people (ages 2 to 19) and 42% of adults in the U.S. are obese, putting them at increased risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.
Heart Disease and Stroke
High blood pressure and cholesterol are major contributors to heart disease and stroke. Overeating sodium can elevate blood pressure and increase these risks. Americans consume over 3,400 mg of sodium daily – far above the recommended limit of 2,300 mg.
More than 70% of the sodium in American diets comes from packaged, processed, and restaurant foods. To combat this, eating more fiber-rich, low-sodium foods, reducing saturated fats, and staying active can significantly reduce the risk of heart-related issues.
Type 2 Diabetes
Excess weight and obesity significantly increase the risk of type 2 diabetes as the body becomes less efficient at using insulin. More than 96 million U.S. adults – over 1 in 3 – have prediabetes, yet 8 in 10 are unaware of their condition. While new diabetes diagnoses have decreased in recent years, the number of adults living with diabetes has nearly doubled over the past two decades due to population growth, aging, and rising obesity rates.
Cancer
A poor diet can also heighten the risk of certain cancers. Consuming sugary drinks, processed foods, and other unhealthy options can lead to weight gain and chronic conditions that increase the risk of at least 13 types of cancer. These include endometrial (uterine) cancer, postmenopausal breast cancer, and colorectal cancer. Additionally, eating red and processed meats has been linked to an elevated risk of colorectal cancer.
Prioritizing a healthy diet is a decisive step toward preventing chronic illnesses and improving quality of life. Small, sustainable changes in daily habits can lead to significant long-term benefits.
CDC’s Work to Promote Good Nutrition
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is dedicated to improving nutrition and reducing chronic disease risks through innovative programs and partnerships. From tracking dietary habits to promoting healthier food options, here’s how the CDC is making a difference:
Measure Breastfeeding Practices and Eating Patterns
The CDC collects and analyzes national and state data on breastfeeding rates and eating habits, including fruit, vegetable, and added sugar consumption. The CDC can identify nutritional disparities across different population groups by understanding these trends.
This data empowers partners to support breastfeeding and promote healthy eating habits in homes, schools, workplaces, and communities – especially for those at higher risk of chronic disease.
Support Breastfeeding in Hospitals and Communities
Breastfeeding is a key nutritional cornerstone for infants, reducing the risk of health conditions for babies and mothers. The CDC supports hospitals in adopting maternity care practices that encourage breastfeeding.
Community programs funded by the CDC also aim to create a seamless support system for breastfeeding mothers, improving care continuity and fostering long-term breastfeeding success.
Offer Healthier Food Options in Early Care and Education Facilities and Schools
With 56 million children in early care and schools, these settings shape lifelong eating habits. The CDC promotes good nutrition by:
Providing resources to enhance obesity prevention and implement nutrition standards.
Training child care providers and school staff in healthy food preparation.
Supporting initiatives like the Salad Bars to School program has brought nearly 6,000 salad bars to schools, benefiting millions of children.
The CDC ensures that children have access to healthier meals, snacks, and beverages through partnerships and technical assistance.
Promote Healthier Food Choices in the Workplace
Workplaces play a crucial role in adult nutrition. The CDC develops food service guidelines to increase the availability of healthy options in cafeterias, vending machines, and snack shops.
Additionally, the CDC helps employers support breastfeeding mothers with lactation accommodations, flexible schedules, and maternity benefits, fostering healthier workplaces for employees and their families.
Improve Access to Healthy Foods in Communities
Many low-income, rural, and tribal communities lack access to affordable, nutritious foods like fruits and vegetables. The CDC addresses this issue through initiatives such as the State Physical Activity and Nutrition Program and the High Obesity Program.
These programs fund local food hubs, farmers’ markets, and small stores, expanding the availability of healthier options and encouraging their purchase through strategic marketing.
Support Lifestyle Change Programs to Prevent Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes
The CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) teaches individuals with prediabetes to make healthier food choices, increase physical activity, and manage stress.
This lifestyle change program has proven to lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by up to 58% (71% for participants over 60). By building a robust nationwide delivery system, the CDC is helping people adopt sustainable habits that improve their health outcomes.
Through targeted interventions and strategic partnerships, the CDC continues to promote good nutrition and healthier lifestyles for individuals and communities nationwide.
