However, poor nutrition and physical inactivity significantly increase the risk of chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, and obesity.¹ These conditions can lead to disability, reduced quality of life, and premature death. Oral health is also closely linked to diet. Excessive sugar intake and frequent consumption of acidic foods and beverages increase the risk of dental caries and erosive tooth wear. Nearly 46.0% of children aged 2–19 had untreated or restored dental caries in one or more primary or permanent teeth between 2017 and March 2020.²

Dietary patterns in the United States reflect concerning trends. Fewer than 1 in 10 children and adults consume the recommended daily amount of vegetables (two to three cups).¹ At the same time, fast food accounts for 11.7% of daily calories among adults and 11.4% among children aged 2–19.^3,4

Beyond the human toll, the economic burden of poor nutrition is substantial. Between 2011 and 2020, the United States lost an estimated $16 trillion due to healthcare costs, lost wages, and reduced productivity associated with obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and 13 nutrition-related cancers.⁵ Chronic disease disrupts families, workplaces, and communities. It reduces federal revenue while increasing healthcare expenditures and disability support costs.⁵    

The Current State of Health in Michigan: How’s Health in the Mitten?

Michigan reflects many of these national trends. Approximately 987,200 Michigan adults—10.7% of the adult population—have been diagnosed with diabetes, and an estimated 59,000 new cases are diagnosed annually.⁶

Adult obesity rates in Michigan exceed the national average. Nearly 70% of adults are either overweight (34.6%) or obese (35.2%).⁷ Obesity is a major risk factor for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and stroke—conditions that significantly reduce quality of life and increase mortality risk.

Similar to the national mortality rate, the number one killer in Michigan is heart disease, with an age-adjusted mortality rate of 199.5 per 100,000 Michigan residents in 2023.⁸ As we transition from February Heart Health Month, it is important to continue recognizing the urgency of this issue, as nutrition is a prime contributor to health outcomes.

Fruit and vegetable intake in Michigan also remains low. According to the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), most adults aged 18 and older did not meet federal recommendations.⁹ Only 10.8% of residents met the recommended 2–3 cups of vegetables per day, and just 11.0% met the recommended 1.5–2 cups of fruit daily.^1,9,10

Given these statistics, promoting March as National Nutrition Month remains critical to improving both physical and mental health outcomes across our state.

A Snapshot of Nutrition and Health: United States vs. Michigan

Understanding where Michigan stands in relation to national nutrition and chronic disease trends helps contextualize both our challenges and opportunities for action. The data below provide a side-by-side comparison of key nutrition-related indicators, including diabetes prevalence, obesity rates, fruit and vegetable intake, fast-food consumption, oral health, and heart disease mortality. Together, these measures illustrate how dietary patterns influence health outcomes at both the national and state levels—and why continued investment in nutrition education, prevention, and policy is critical for improving health in Michigan.

Indicator	United States	Michigan	Source(s)
Adults Diagnosed with Diabetes	11.6% of U.S. adults (approximate national prevalence)	10.7% of adults (≈987,200 adults)	1,6
New Diabetes Cases Annually	~1.2 million new cases annually	~59,000 new cases annually	6
Adult Overweight or Obesity	~67% of U.S. adults overweight or obese	~69.8% overweight (34.6%) or obese (35.2%)	1,7
Adult Obesity Alone	~42% national adult obesity rate	35.2% adult obesity rate	1,7
Adults Meeting Vegetable Intake Recommendations	<10% meet daily recommendations	10.8% meet daily recommendations	1,9
Adults Meeting Fruit Intake Recommendations	~12% meet daily recommendations	11.0% meet daily recommendations	1,9
Daily Calories from Fast Food (Adults)	11.7% of total daily calories	Comparable to national trend	4
Children/Adolescents Calories from Fast Food	11.4% of total daily calories	Comparable to national trend	3
Children (2–19) with Dental Caries	46.0% with untreated or restored caries	Comparable to national trend	2
Leading Cause of Death	Heart disease	Heart disease (199.5 per 100,000, 2023)	8
Economic Impact of Poor Nutrition	$16 trillion (2011–2020)	State-level cost contributes to national total	5

Take Control of Your Health Today!

You may be wondering: What does a healthy plate actually look like?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture developed MyPlate as a simple visual guide representing the five food groups and recommended proportions for balanced meals. MyPlate was launched on June 2, 2011, by First Lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.¹¹ Each item presented on the plate is based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, offering yearly updates on nutrition tips, education, and personalized goals to help individuals optimize their health and improve health outcomes.

Figure 2. Offers a detailed description of the Dietary Guidelines Americans should follow when selecting foods from each food group and ensuring they consume enough nutrients daily.

Small shifts—such as filling half your plate with fruits and vegetables, choosing whole grains, and limiting added sugars and saturated fats—can produce meaningful long-term benefits.

What’s Next, Michigan?

Nutrition influences five of the leading health concerns in the United States: heart disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and hypertension. Many of these conditions are preventable—or at least modifiable—through sustainable lifestyle changes.

Building Healthy Habits into Your Day

• Start with small changes
• Focus on balance, not perfection
• Plan when possible
• Stay hydrated
• Emphasize habits that are sustainable over time

Healthy Habits Have Rewarding Benefits

• Improved sleep quality
• Reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms
• Increased energy
• Sharper focus
• Stronger immune system
• Reduced risk of chronic disease
• Healthier weight management
• Stronger bones & teeth