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Abstract
The prevalence of obesity and overweight increased in the United States between 1978
and 1991. More recent reports have suggested continued increases but are based on
self-reported data.
To examine trends and prevalences of overweight (body mass index [BMI] > or = 25)
and obesity (BMI > or = 30), using measured height and weight data.
Survey of 4115 adult men and women conducted in 1999 and 2000 as part of the National
Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a nationally representative sample
of the US population.
Age-adjusted prevalence of overweight, obesity, and extreme obesity compared with
prior surveys, and sex-, age-, and race/ethnicity-specific estimates.
The age-adjusted prevalence of obesity was 30.5% in 1999-2000 compared with 22.9%
in NHANES III (1988-1994; P<.001). The prevalence of overweight also increased during
this period from 55.9% to 64.5% (P<.001). Extreme obesity (BMI > or = 40) also increased
significantly in the population, from 2.9% to 4.7% (P =.002). Although not all changes
were statistically significant, increases occurred for both men and women in all age
groups and for non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks, and Mexican Americans. Racial/ethnic
groups did not differ significantly in the prevalence of obesity or overweight for
men. Among women, obesity and overweight prevalences were highest among non-Hispanic
black women. More than half of non-Hispanic black women aged 40 years or older were
obese and more than 80% were overweight.
The increases in the prevalences of obesity and overweight previously observed continued
in 1999-2000. The potential health benefits from reduction in overweight and obesity
are of considerable public health importance.