In 2010, more than one-third of adults in the United States were obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

It’s safe to call the issue of obesity an epidemic at this point, and it can lead to other complications like heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, stroke and certain types of cancer. The health problems caused by obesity are some of the leading causes of preventable death.

A new infographic from Nursing@Georgetown outlines some important statistics about this issue, aimed at increasing awareness and educating the public about the positive effects of a proper diet and exercise.

Things like eating whole grains, switching to low-fat milk, and increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables can help turn things around and lead to a healthier body. In addition, the USDA has developed a nutrition guide called MyPlate that outlines recommended food portions.

Exercise also helps, and all adults should set a long-term goal to accumulate at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most days. Check out the infographic below for information, and ways we can all work to improve our health behaviors.

Via Nursing License Map and Nursing@Georgetown

This post is written by Erica Moss, who is the community manager for the online nursing programs at Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies.