Healthy Communities

What is Healthiest Weight Florida? 

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

Currently, only 36 percent of Floridians are at a healthy weight. On our current trend, by 2030, almost 60 percent 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 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.

Healthiest Weight in Volusia County

The community of Volusia County has conducted multiple community health assessments that reveal obesity to be the number one public health issue. Likewise, there are many different community efforts to prevent and lower the rate of obesity in the county.