About Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Prevention

Overweight and obesity are complex, serious, and costly public health issues that affect two out of three South Carolina adults and one out of three South Carolina children. Overweight and obesity are linked to chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer. In 2022, the medical care cost of adult obesity in South Carolina is estimated at over $7 billion/year. The main risk factors for obesity and other chronic conditions include poor nutrition and lack of physical activity.

The SC Department of Public Health works with partners across the state to address nutrition, physical activity, obesity, and other chronic conditions. These efforts include direct education, lifestyle interventions, and policy, systems, and environmental changes.

Section of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Prevention

The Section of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Prevention (NPAO) aims to improve access to healthier foods and opportunities for daily physical activity through policy, systems, and environmental approaches reaching South Carolinians where they live, learn, work, and play. NPAO seeks to: 

• Improve early care and education environments to support healthy eating and active living
• Improve school environments to support healthy eating and active living
• Integrate access to healthy foods and opportunities for active living into community planning and design
• Engage partners to guide statewide healthy eating, active living, and healthy weight efforts