Texas is one of the largest and most diverse states in the country, which means our nutrition and health outcomes don’t look the same across every community, but statewide data shows clear patterns that matter for prevention and long term wellbeing, especially when it comes to obesity, diabetes, heart health, and food insecurity. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), in 2023, over one-third of adult Texans had obesity, and about one-fifth of Texas youth ages 10–17 had obesity, highlighting how weight-related health risks impact both adults and children across the lifespan (Texas DSHS). CDC BRFSS data also shows that obesity prevalence in Texas increases with age, with 32.8% of adults ages 18–39 and 42.0% of adults ages 40–59 living with obesity, emphasizing why early prevention and realistic lifestyle support are critical before chronic conditions develop (CDC BRFSS). Diabetes is another growing concern, and a Texas DSHS legislative report shows the prevalence of diabetes among Texas adults increased from 10.9% in 2013 to 12.7% in 2023, which translates to more than 2.9 million Texas adults living with diagnosed diabetes today, while an estimated 34% of adults—about 7.1 million Texans—have prediabetes, meaning the largest opportunity in Texas may be stopping diabetes before it starts through screening access, nutrition education, and sustainable behavior change (Texas DSHS). Cardiovascular health is deeply tied to these trends, and Texas DSHS reports that heart disease and stroke account for almost 30% of deaths in Texas, underscoring that nutrition strategies like increasing fiber, improving fat quality, reducing excess sodium, and supporting healthy blood pressure and cholesterol aren’t just personal goals—they are major public health priorities, especially since the same state plan cites roughly $25 billion in Texas hospital charges for heart disease in 2021, showing how costly preventable conditions can be for individuals and systems alike (Texas DSHS). Finally, no conversation about nutrition trends in Texas is complete without acknowledging food insecurity, because access to consistent meals affects everything from nutrient adequacy to disease risk and mental stress, and UT Austin reporting found 29% of surveyed students were food insecure (with housing insecurity also affecting a significant portion), while UT System reporting has highlighted that among food-insecure students, 32% reported food and housing problems impacted their education, reinforcing that nutrition challenges in Texas don’t happen in a vacuum—they reflect affordability, access, transportation, campus and community resources, and the real-life constraints people face daily (UT Austin; UT System). Overall, the Texas data points to a powerful conclusion: addressing obesity, diabetes, and heart disease isn’t only about “willpower” or individual discipline—it requires sustainable nutrition habits, early prevention, and supportive systems that make healthy food accessible, realistic, and culturally relevant for the communities most affected (Texas DSHS; CDC; UT System).
Written by Clarissa Garcia, Future Registered Dietitian
