Skip Global navigation and goto content

It's a New Day in Public Health.

The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

Skip MegaMenu and goto content
Megamenu requires javascript to be enabled in your browser.

Healthy Weight

Contact the Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention

Healthy eating and physical activity are keys to maintaining a healthy weight. Being at a healthy weight is related to a reduction in several serious health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, stroke (brain attack), and certain cancers. For those that are overweight, even a modest weight loss can have a positive impact on your health. Healthy weight can also impact your energy levels, sleep habits, self-esteem, psychological health, and health care costs.

Maintaining Your Healthy Weight

Maintaining a healthy weight results from a balance of the calories consumed through eating and drinking compared to the calories burned through physical activity. Taking in more calories than you burn with exercise will lead to weight gain. Conversely, you will lose weight if you burn more calories through activity than you consume. Having a few high-calorie snacks/meals or a day of inactivity can be balanced with healthy food choices and physical activity. It is essential to take care of yourself with sensible health habits such as drinking plenty of water, eating a variety of fruit and vegetables, and getting more active.

Body Mass Index Explained

Body mass index (BMI) estimates body fat based on height and weight. This screening tool calculates weight status in relation to the risk of chronic disease. Please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information on healthy eating and physical activity for a healthy weight. There you will also find a BMI calculator to assess if you are at a healthy weight.

Consult with your health care provider to determine safe and effective ways to achieve and maintain the healthiest weight for you.

Healthy Communities of Florida

Currently only 34% of Florida adults are at a healthy weight, approximately 28% are obese and about 36% are overweight. On our current trend, there is a high probability that by 2030, the proportion of Florida adults at a healthy weight will reach only 30%. Addressing the public health threat of weight is a priority for the Department of Health.

As a Department program, Healthy Communities of Florida (formerly Healthiest Weight Florida) is focused on creating healthy environments, supported by public-private collaborations across state agencies, not-for-profit organizations and commercial businesses, to help Florida’s children and adults choose healthy eating and active living.