Maryland Department of Health
Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control

Healthy Women

​What’s Your Why?

Healthy Weight, Healthy Me


The 2019 Maryland Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) age-adjusted data in Maryland showed that overall, 36.0% of women had a healthy weight, and 49.6% of women participated in 150 minutes or more of physical activity weekly. Both nutrition and physical activity are factors that contribute to a healthy weight.


There are many benefits to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including eating healthy and regular physical activity.

Benefits of healthy eating include:

  • Helps achieve and maintain a healthy weight

  • Supports muscles and strengthens bones.

  • Boosts immunity.

  • Lowers risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers.

  • Supports healthy pregnancies and breastfeeding.

  • Helps the digestive system function.



Benefits of physical activity include:

  • Helps achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

  • Helps lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.

  • Lowers risk of heart disease, diabetes, depression, anxiety, and some cancers.

  • Improves mood, strengthens brain function, and reduces pain.

  • Improves daily life by making it easier to do everyday tasks and keep up with loved ones. 


Reasons to get or keep a healthy weight are different for everyone. What’s your why?





Healthy Eating Resources        

MyPlate Kitchen - CDC

Heart Healthy Recipes - National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Meal Planning - CDC

Healthy Eating - National Institute on Aging

Healthy Eating for a Healthy Weight - CDC

Healthy Eating During Pregnancy - ACOG

Food Assistance and Food Systems Resources - CDC




Get Moving Tips 

Physical Activity Recommendations for Different Groups - CDC

Getting Started with Physical Activity - CDC

Physical Activity for Pregnant and Postpartum Women - CDC

Healthy Pregnant and Postpartum Women - CDC

Physical Activity for Older Adults - CDC

Physical Activity for People with Disability - CDC



Campaign Note:

The goal of the What’s your Why? campaign is to increase physical activity, improve nutrition, and maintain healthy weight in women of childbearing age between the ages of 18 and 44 years with varied demographics inclusive of college students, working women, mothers, and persons with disabilities. The need for the campaign is based on the findings from a study conducted by the Schaefer Center for Public Policy on the Barriers & Facilitators to Maintaining a Healthy Weight for Women Ages 18 – 39.