The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is an annual statewide telephone surveillance system designed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). BRFSS monitors modifiable risk behaviors and other factors contributing to the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the population. New York State's BRFSS sample represents the non-institutionalized adult household population, aged 18 years and older.

Although the overall number of respondents in the BRFSS is more than sufficiently large for statistical inference purposes, subgroup analyses can lead to estimates that are unreliable. Interpreting and reporting weighted numbers that are based on a small, unweighted number of respondents can mislead the reader into believing that a given finding is much more precise than it actually is. The BRFSS follows a rule of not reporting or interpreting percentages based upon a denominator of fewer than 50 respondents (unweighted sample). Both a csv and sas data files are available.

For more information, check out http://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/brfss/.

Note: This dataset is no longer updated. Refer to the dataset in the featured content. The Student Weight Status Category Reporting System (SWSCR) collects weight status category data (underweight, healthy weight, overweight or obese, based on BMI-for-age percentile) at school entry (pre-kindergarten or kindergarten) and in grades 2, 4, 7 and 10 for students attending all public schools outside of the five boroughs of New York City.

Because of restrictions in reporting due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) there was wide variation in how much of the student population was represented in the data schools submitted during 2008-2010. Therefore the percentage of the student population represented in the county-level estimates varies from county to county. This limits researchers' ability to draw absolute conclusions about observed differences in student weight status among counties.

For more information check out http://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/obesity/.