Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is a United States health survey that looks at behavioral risk factors. Begun in 1984, the BRFSS is run by Centers for disease Control and Prevention and conducted by participating individual state health departments. The survey is administered by telephone and is the world's largest such survey. In 2009, the BRFSS began conducting surveys by cellular phone in addition to traditional landline telephones.

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)

The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is a comprehensive public health surveillance system used to track health behaviors and risk factors among adults in the United States.

Overview

The BRFSS is a critical tool for monitoring public health trends and identifying emerging health issues. It collects data on various health-related topics, including:

• Smoking and tobacco use
• Physical inactivity
• Unhealthy dietary habits
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and hypertension
• Access to healthcare services
• Immunization status

History

The BRFSS was established in 1984 and is conducted annually by the CDC. It is the largest ongoing telephone health survey system in the world and provides crucial data for public health decision-making.

Methodology

The BRFSS collects data through random-digit-dialed (RDD) telephone surveys, making it a cost-effective method for gathering information from a large and diverse population. Trained interviewers administer the surveys, which include standardized questions developed by the CDC.

Importance

BRFSS_obesity_1985-2006

Public health professionals, policymakers, researchers, and healthcare providers rely on BRFSS data to:

• Monitor health trends and disparities
• Develop and implement effective health programs and policies
• Evaluate the impact of interventions
• Allocate resources efficiently

Data Utilization

BRFSS data is accessible to the public, researchers, and policymakers through various platforms, including the CDC's official website. Researchers often use this data to publish scientific papers, create public health reports, and inform evidence-based practices.

Future Directions

The BRFSS continues to evolve with advancements in technology and changes in public health priorities. Efforts are ongoing to enhance data collection methods, improve survey response rates, and expand the use of mobile technology for data collection.

BRFSS data - National

Page	Country	Location	Location code	Year	Topic	Question	Data value	Sample size	Age	Education	Gender	Income	Race	Geo location	Category	Stratification
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	16.9	43172				$75,000 or greater			Income	$75,000 or greater
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	34.9	51179	35						Age (years)	35 - 44
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	35	55436				$50,000 - $74,999			Income	$50,000 - $74,999
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	34.8	19627		Less than high school					Education	Less than high school
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	36.3	158359		College graduate					Education	College graduate
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	19.2	46427	25						Age (years)	25 - 34
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	32.5	9477					Asian		Race/Ethnicity	Asian
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	28.7	31847					Non-Hispanic Black		Race/Ethnicity	Non-Hispanic Black
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	40.4	20664		Less than high school					Education	Less than high school
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	29.4	198053			Female				Gender	Female
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	41.9	25054		Less than high school					Education	Less than high school
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	39.3	43934				$75,000 or greater			Income	$75,000 or greater
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	42.9	1219					Hawaiian/Pacific Islander		Race/Ethnicity	Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	22	42413				$35,000 - $49,999			Income	$35,000 - $49,999
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	29.5	139052	65						Age (years)	65 or older
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	39.3	187151			Male				Gender	Male
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	41.9	6274					American Indian/Alaska Native		Race/Ethnicity	American Indian/Alaska Native
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	34.4	44731				$35,000 - $49,999			Income	$35,000 - $49,999
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	23.7	430714							Total	Total
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	32.2	28103					Hispanic		Race/Ethnicity	Hispanic
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	36.7	29049					Hispanic		Race/Ethnicity	Hispanic
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	44.9	22274	18						Age (years)	18 - 24
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	17.4	3055					Other		Race/Ethnicity	Other
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	33	385204							Total	Total
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	19.4	131118	65						Age (years)	65 or older
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	42.9	27882					Non-Hispanic Black		Race/Ethnicity	Non-Hispanic Black
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	32.4	8263					2 or more races		Race/Ethnicity	2 or more races
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	27.5	7234					American Indian/Alaska Native		Race/Ethnicity	American Indian/Alaska Native
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	39.9	21003				Less than $15,000			Income	Less than $15,000
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	26.7	81354	55						Age (years)	55 - 64
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	29.7	19516				Less than $15,000			Income	Less than $15,000
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	39.6	72390	55						Age (years)	55 - 64
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	40.1	38697				$25,000 - $34,999			Income	$25,000 - $34,999
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	28	21648	18						Age (years)	18 - 24
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	35.5	97895		High school graduate					Education	High school graduate
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	24.2	37605				$25,000 - $34,999			Income	$25,000 - $34,999
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	42.1	31200				$15,000 - $24,999			Income	$15,000 - $24,999
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	17.7	144268				Data not reported			Income	Data not reported
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	25.4	90656		High school graduate					Education	High school graduate
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	34	106655		Some college or technical school					Education	Some college or technical school
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	34.5	292088					Non-Hispanic White		Race/Ethnicity	Non-Hispanic White
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	34.4	385204							Total	Total
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	38.3	148691				Data not reported			Income	Data not reported
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	39.4	1179					Hawaiian/Pacific Islander		Race/Ethnicity	Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	26.1	230439			Female				Gender	Female
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	33.7	44695				$75,000 or greater			Income	$75,000 or greater
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	39.3	57677	45						Age (years)	45 - 54
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	21.4	1385					Hawaiian/Pacific Islander		Race/Ethnicity	Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	35.9	3269					Other		Race/Ethnicity	Other
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	36.4	28887					Hispanic		Race/Ethnicity	Hispanic
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	35.9	57677	45						Age (years)	45 - 54
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	37.2	40121				$25,000 - $34,999			Income	$25,000 - $34,999
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	19	178279				Data not reported			Income	Data not reported
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	19.2	7780					2 or more races		Race/Ethnicity	2 or more races
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	38	9290					Asian		Race/Ethnicity	Asian
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	19.9	70784	55						Age (years)	55 - 64
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	32.3	187151			Male				Gender	Male
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	38.1	73358	55						Age (years)	55 - 64
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	21.9	321722					Non-Hispanic White		Race/Ethnicity	Non-Hispanic White
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	37.1	28887					Hispanic		Race/Ethnicity	Hispanic
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	44	93798		High school graduate					Education	High school graduate
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	31.8	32294				$15,000 - $24,999			Income	$15,000 - $24,999
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	18.5	53305				$50,000 - $74,999			Income	$50,000 - $74,999
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	35.6	106655		Some college or technical school					Education	Some college or technical school
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	41	57974	45						Age (years)	45 - 54
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	16.9	9012					Asian		Race/Ethnicity	Asian
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	20.8	39503	25						Age (years)	25 - 34
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	36.2	34769				$15,000 - $24,999			Income	$15,000 - $24,999
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	39.9	378903							Total	Total
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	17	25463	18						Age (years)	18 - 24
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	17.4	10846					Asian		Race/Ethnicity	Asian
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	33.7	198053			Female				Gender	Female
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	36.8	51179	35						Age (years)	35 - 44
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	29.1	30199				$15,000 - $24,999			Income	$15,000 - $24,999
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	33.3	97895		High school graduate					Education	High school graduate
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	33.1	8263					2 or more races		Race/Ethnicity	2 or more races
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	32.2	27882					Non-Hispanic Black		Race/Ethnicity	Non-Hispanic Black
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	17.6	47396				$75,000 or greater			Income	$75,000 or greater
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	36.1	44695				$75,000 or greater			Income	$75,000 or greater
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	20.4	6045					American Indian/Alaska Native		Race/Ethnicity	American Indian/Alaska Native
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	21.1	200275			Male				Gender	Male
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	42.9	175300			Male				Gender	Male
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	17.2	280493					Non-Hispanic White		Race/Ethnicity	Non-Hispanic White
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	37.8	32294				$15,000 - $24,999			Income	$15,000 - $24,999
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	12.5	175775		College graduate					Education	College graduate
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	28.5	148411				Data not reported			Income	Data not reported
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	36.7	73358	55						Age (years)	55 - 64
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	43.7	18673				Less than $15,000			Income	Less than $15,000
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	19.7	56720	45						Age (years)	45 - 54
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	18.5	9008					2 or more races		Race/Ethnicity	2 or more races
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	20.6	368969							Total	Total
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	20.5	57677	35						Age (years)	35 - 44
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	31.7	43004				$25,000 - $34,999			Income	$25,000 - $34,999
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	39.5	50286	35						Age (years)	35 - 44
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	32.1	40121				$25,000 - $34,999			Income	$25,000 - $34,999
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	18.6	102312		Some college or technical school					Education	Some college or technical school
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	40.8	287350					Non-Hispanic White		Race/Ethnicity	Non-Hispanic White
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	23.3	170680			Male				Gender	Male
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	26.3	158359		College graduate					Education	College graduate
BRFSS	USA	National	US		Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	33.2	1219					Hawaiian/Pacific Islander		Race/Ethnicity	Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

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