We Are Healthy

An Estimated

28%

of Travis County adults ARE OBESE

Source: Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and Austin Public Health

WHERE DO WE STAND?

Approximately 28% of adults in Travis County were obese in 2021 compared to 29% in 2017. The highest obesity rates for Travis County (29%) and the Austin MSA (31%) were reported in 2018. Travis County’s obesity rate is still lower the state of Texas’ and the nation’s obesity rates.

Source: Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and Austin Public Health

A FOCUS ON EQUITY

Black adults and Hispanic adults in Travis County are more likely to be obese than people of other races and ethnicities. In 2021, Black residents of Travis County reported obesity at a rate of 58.5%, while Hispanics reported a rate of 35.3% and non-Hispanic White residents reported a rate of 21.4%. A report by Central Health highlights several health disparities for chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart failure, and hypertension–diseases that are more prevalent among people who are overweight or obese. Obesity data are calculated from a sample of the population. Estimates with a Relative Standard Error greater than 30% or estimates where the sample size was less than 50 were not included.

Source: Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and Austin Public Health Department

OBESITY BY SEX

Obesity varies in prevalence among males and females. Data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System show that approximately 31% of males and 24% of females in Travis County were obese in 2021.

Source: Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and Austin Public Health Department

OBESITY BY INCOME

Obesity is more prevalent among people with low incomes. Data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System show that approximately 45% of people earning less than $25,000 a year in Travis County were obese in 2021.

Source: Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and Austin Public Health Department

OBESITY BY AGE GROUP

Obesity is more prevalent among people between the ages of 45 to 64 years old. Data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System show that approximately 34% of people between the ages of 45 and 64, 26% of people above age 65, and 25% of people between age 30 and 44, and 24% of people between the ages of 18 and 30 were obese in Travis County in 2021.

Source: Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and Austin Public Health Department

OBESITY BY EMPLOYMENT STATUS

In 2021, approximately 31% of unemployed Travis County residents reported experiencing obesity, compared to 25% of employed individuals. The percentage of unemployed individuals who are obese increased from 2016 (18%).

Source: Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and Austin Public Health Department

OBESITY BY EDUCATION LEVEL

Travis County residents who are high school graduates but have not attained a postsecondary credential report higher levels of obesity (32%) than Travis County residents with some college education(30%). Travis County Residents with less than a High School education also report high levels of obesity (there was no data for this group in 2021 or 2019). Travis County Adults who are college graduates saw a decrease in this metric for 2021, to 23%.

Source: Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and Austin Public Health Department

OBESITY BY HEALTH CARE COVERAGE

Obesity is more prevalent among people who have no health care coverage. Data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System show that approximately 38% of people with no health care coverage in Travis County were obese, compared to 26% of people with health care coverage in Travis County, in 2021.

Source: Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and Austin Public Health Department

OBESITY BY DISABILITY STATUS

In 2021, 38% of Travis County residents who have a disability reported experiencing obesity, compared with approximately 25% of Travis County residents who do not report a disability. The obesity rate has increased for both groups over the past 5 years.

Source: Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and Austin Public Health Department

OBESITY BY SEXUAL ORIENTATION

In 2021, obesity was more prevalent among people who identify as straight. That year, approximately 18% of Travis County Residents who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual reported experiencing obesity, compared to approximately 30% of Travis County residents who identify as straight.

Source: Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and Austin Public Health Department

OBESITY BY MARITAL STATUS

Travis County residents who are not married report higher levels of obesity (31%) than Travis County residents who are married (26%).

We Are Healthy

An Estimated

28%

of Travis County adults ARE OBESE

WHERE DO WE STAND?

A FOCUS ON EQUITY

OBESITY BY SEX

OBESITY BY INCOME

OBESITY BY AGE GROUP

OBESITY BY EMPLOYMENT STATUS

OBESITY BY EDUCATION LEVEL

OBESITY BY HEALTH CARE COVERAGE

OBESITY BY DISABILITY STATUS

OBESITY BY SEXUAL ORIENTATION

OBESITY BY MARITAL STATUS

LOCAL EFFORTS