Healthiest Weight Florida

The number one public health threat to Florida's future is unhealthy weight.

Currently, only 35% of adult Floridians are at healthy weight. By 2030, it is estimated that almost 60% will be obese. Additionally, six out of ten children born today will be obese by the time they graduate high school.

Over the next 20 years in Florida, obesity is expected to contribute to millions of cases of preventable chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer, costing an estimated $34 billion. To address this important public health issue, the Florida Department of Health launched the Healthiest Weight Florida initiative in January 2013.

Healthiest Weight Florida is a public-private collaboration bringing together state agencies, not for profit organizations, businesses, and entire communities to help Florida’s children and adults make consistent, informed choices about healthy eating and active living. Using evidence-based interventions, the program works to influence the social determinants of health and move Florida toward achieving health equity. Healthiest Weight Florida engages 67 county health departments and numerous partners at the state and local levels to implement policy, systems, and environmental interventions that improve access to healthy foods and increase opportunities for physical activity. Healthiest Weight Florida is creating Healthy Places statewide by focusing interventions in: birthing facilities, early care and education centers, schools, worksites, health care settings, built environment, and community-based organizations.