BRFSS

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

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

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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

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.

Location	Topic	Question	Data_Value	Age(years)	Education	Gender	Income	Race/Ethnicity	GeoLocation
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	11.8					Asian
National	Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	18.5					2 or more races
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	20.6
National	Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	20.5	35 - 44
National	Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	31.7				$25,000 - $34,999
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	39.5	35 - 44
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	32.1				$25,000 - $34,999
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	18.6		Some college or technical school
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	40.8					Non-Hispanic White
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	19.7	45 - 54
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	26.3		College graduate
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	33.2					Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	35.6				Data not reported
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	30.9					Other
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	22					Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	41.4				$35,000 - $49,999
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	41.6		Some college or technical school
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	20.4					American Indian/Alaska Native
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	33.7			Female
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	36.8	35 - 44
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	29.1				$15,000 - $24,999
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	33.3		High school graduate
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	33.1					2 or more races
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	32.2					Non-Hispanic Black
National	Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	17.6				$75,000 or greater
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	36.1				$75,000 or greater
National	Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	17.4					Asian
National	Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	21.1			Male
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	42.9			Male
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	17.2					Non-Hispanic White
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	37.8				$15,000 - $24,999
National	Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	12.5		College graduate
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	28.5				Data not reported
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	36.7	55 - 64
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	43.7				Less than $15,000
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	23.3			Male
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	42.8	25 - 34
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	13.3		College graduate
National	Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	27				$35,000 - $49,999
National	Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	23.6	45 - 54
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	32					Non-Hispanic White
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	38.1	65 or older
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	34.4		College graduate
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	26					Non-Hispanic Black
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	35.6				$35,000 - $49,999
National	Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	31	65 or older
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	33.6		Less than high school
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	33.8					American Indian/Alaska Native
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	32.1	25 - 34
National	Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	25.1					Other
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	40.2					Non-Hispanic Black
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	20.7	18 - 24
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	17.8	35 - 44
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	39.3					Other
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	32	25 - 34
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	25.3	18 - 24
National	Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	20.3				$50,000 - $74,999
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	40.7				$50,000 - $74,999
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	41.2					2 or more races
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	37.8		Less than high school
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	31.6				Less than $15,000
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	34.5	65 or older
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	18			Female
National	Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	29.1					Hispanic
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	37.1			Female
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	38.7				Less than $15,000
National	Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	22.4		Some college or technical school
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	35				$50,000 - $74,999
National	Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	29.3		High school graduate
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	38.7					American Indian/Alaska Native
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	18.5				$50,000 - $74,999
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	32.2					Hispanic
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	36.7					Hispanic
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	44.9	18 - 24
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	17.4					Other
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	33
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	19.4	65 or older
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	42.9					Non-Hispanic Black
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	32.4					2 or more races
National	Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	23.7
National	Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	39.9				Less than $15,000
National	Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	26.7	55 - 64
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	29.7				Less than $15,000
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	39.6	55 - 64
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	40.1				$25,000 - $34,999
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	28	18 - 24
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	35.5		High school graduate
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	29.4			Female
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	34.9	35 - 44
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	35				$50,000 - $74,999
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	34.8		Less than high school
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	36.3		College graduate
National	Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	19.2	25 - 34
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	32.5					Asian
National	Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	28.7					Non-Hispanic Black
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	40.4		Less than high school
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	16.9				$75,000 or greater
National	Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	41.9		Less than high school
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	39.3				$75,000 or greater
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	42.9					Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	22				$35,000 - $49,999
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	29.5	65 or older
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	39.3			Male
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	41.9					American Indian/Alaska Native
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	34.4				$35,000 - $49,999
National	Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	27.5					American Indian/Alaska Native
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	38					Asian
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	19.9	55 - 64
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	32.3			Male
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	38.1	55 - 64
National	Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	21.9					Non-Hispanic White
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	37.1					Hispanic
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	44		High school graduate
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	31.8				$15,000 - $24,999
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	19.2					2 or more races
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	35.6		Some college or technical school
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	41	45 - 54
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	16.9					Asian
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	20.8	25 - 34
National	Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	36.2				$15,000 - $24,999
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	39.9
National	Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	17	18 - 24
National	Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	26.1			Female
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	42.1				$15,000 - $24,999
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	17.7				Data not reported
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	25.4		High school graduate
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	34		Some college or technical school
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	34.5					Non-Hispanic White
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	34.4
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	38.3				Data not reported
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming fruit less than one time daily	39.4					Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
National	Fruits and Vegetables - Behavior	Percent of adults who report consuming vegetables less than one time daily	24.2				$25,000 - $34,999
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	33.7				$75,000 or greater
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	39.3	45 - 54
National	Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	21.4					Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	35.9					Other
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	36.4					Hispanic
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have an overweight classification	35.9	45 - 54
National	Obesity / Weight Status	Percent of adults aged 18 years and older who have obesity	37.2				$25,000 - $34,999
National	Physical Activity - Behavior	Percent of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity	19				Data not reported

References

For more information on the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, visit the official BRFSS website provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.