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Obesity in the U.S.

 

Obesity is a complex, multi-factorial chronic disease involving environmental (social and cultural), genetic, physiologic, metabolic, behavioral and psychological components. It is the second leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. Overweight and obesity are part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' health agenda that have steadily moved away from their established targets for improvement. Today, public health leaders recognize obesity as a "neglected public health problem." This fact sheet will demonstrate the impact of overweight and obesity on millions of Americans of all ages and both genders. Overall Prevalence Approximately 127 million adults in the U.S. are overweight, 60 million obese, and 9 million severely obese. Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measurement tool used to determine excess body weight. Overweight is defined as a BMI of 25 or more, obesity is 30 or more, and severe obesity is 40 or more. Read the AOA fact sheet,What is Obesity? for more information about BMI and to calculate BMI. The number of adults who are overweight or obese has continued to increase, as shown in Table 1. Currently, 64.5 percent of U.S. adults, age 20 years and older, are overweight and 30.5 percent are obese. Severe obesity prevalence is now 4.7 percent, up from 2.9 percent reported in the 1988 - 1994 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Table 1 Increase in Prevalence (%) of Overweight (BMI > 25), Obesity (BMI > 30) and Severe Obesity (BMI > 40) Among U.S. Adults.   Overweight (BMI > 25) Obesity (BMI > 30) Severe Obesity (BMI > 40) 1999 to 2000 64.5 30.5 4.7 1988 to 1994 56.0 23.0 2.9 1976 to 1980 46.0 14.4 No Data Source: CDC, National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Health, United States, 2002. Flegal et. al. JAMA. 2002;288:1723-7. NIH, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults, 1998. Health and Social Impact Obesity increases the risk of illness from about 30 serious medical conditions. Obesity is associated with increases in deaths from all-causes. Earlier onset of obesity-related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, are being reported in children and adolescents with obesity. Individuals with obesity are at higher risk for impaired mobility. Overweight or obese individuals experience social stigmatization and discrimination in employment and academic situations.   Read the AOA fact sheet, Health Effects of Obesity for more information. Age Overweight and obesity increases steadily with age for both men and women. In the last decade, all adult age groups in both genders have experienced an increase in overweight and obesity, as shown in Tables 2 and 3. At a minimum, half of all age groups are overweight and at least 20 percent obese. The age group with the highest prevalence of overweight and obesity among men is 65 to 74 years, and among women, 55 to 64 years. Table 2 - Overweight (BMI > 25)     Men Prevalence (%) Women Prevalence (%)         Age (Years) 1988 to 1994 1999 to 2000 1988 to 1994 1999 to 2000 20 to 34 47.5 58.0 37.0 51.5 35 to 44 65.5 67.6 49.6 63.6 45 to 54 66.1 71.3 60.3 64.7 55 to 64 70.5 72.5 66.3 73.1 65 to 74 68.5 77.2 60.3 70.1 75 and older 56.5 66.4 52.3 59.6 Source: CDC, National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Health, United States (Table 70) 2002. ·         Table 3 - Obesity (BMI > 30)     Men Prevalence (%) Women Prevalence (%)         Age (Years) 1988 to 1994 1999 to 2000 1988 to 1994 1999 to 2000 20 to 34 14.1 24.1 18.5 25.8 35 to 44 21.5 25.2 25.5 33.9 45 to 54 23.2 30.1 32.4 38.1 55 to 64 27.2 32.9 33.7 43.1 65 to 74 24.1 33.4 26.9 38.8 75 and older 13.2 20.4 19.2 25.1 Source: CDC, National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Health, United States (Table 70) 2002. Gender The prevalence of overweight is higher for men (67 percent) than women (62 percent). The prevalence of obesity is higher for women (34 percent) than men (27.7 percent) as is severe obesity; women (6.3 percent) and men (3.1 percent). The increase in overweight, obesity and severe obesity prevalence is evident in adults (aged 20 to 74) of both genders over the last decade, as shown in Table 4. Table 4     Men Prevalence (%) Women Prevalence (%)           1988 to 1994 1999 to 2000 1988 to 1994 1999 to 2000 Overweight (BMI > 25) 61 67 51.2 62 Obesity (BMI > 30) 20.6 27.7 26 34 Severe Obesity (BMI > 40) 1.7 3.1 4 6.3 Source: CDC, National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Health, United States (Table 70) 2002. Education Levels Obesity prevalence has increased across all education levels, and is higher for persons with less education as shown in Table 5. Table 5 Education Level 1991 Obesity Prevalence (%) 1998 Obesity Prevalence (%) 2000 Obesity Prevalence (%) 2001 Obesity Prevalence (%) Less than High School 16.5 24.1 26.1 27.4 High School 13.3 19.4 21.7 23.2 Some College 10.6 17.8 19.5 21.0 College 8.0 13.1 15.2 15.7 Source: CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 1991-2001. Geographic Distribution View tables that list rates of Overweight and Obesity in U.S. Cities. Obesity prevalence has increased in all regions of the U.S. as displayed in Table 6. Table 6 Percentage of Adults with Obesity in the US by Region Region of the U.S. 1991(%) 1998(%) 2000(%) New England (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont) 9.9 11.4 16.95 Middle Atlantic (New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania) 12.7 16.7 18.41 East North Central (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin) 14.1 19.1 21.0 West North Central (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota) 12.2 18.0 19.82 South Atlantic (District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia) 11.1 18.6 19.52 East South Central (Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee) 13.1 20.0 23.05 West South Central (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas) 13.1 20.0 22.2 Mountain (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming) 9.6 14.1 17.1 Pacific (Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Washington) 10

• Obesity in Children Overview
• Obesity in Children Causes
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Exams and Tests
• Obesity in Children Treatment
• Self-Care at Home
• Next Steps
• Follow-up
• Outlook
• Support Groups and Counseling
• For More Information
• Web Links
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors
• Related childhood obesity articles:
  Obesity articles - on WebMD

Obesity in Children Overview

Obesity means an excess amount of body fat. No general agreement exists on the definition of obesity in children as it does adults. Most professionals use published obesity guidelines that use the body mass index (BMI), or a modified BMI for age, as a measure of obesity for children. Others define obesity in children as body weight at least 20% higher than a healthy weight for a child of that height or a body fat percentage of more than 25% in boys and 32% in girls.

Although obesity in children once was rare, it is now one of the most widespread medical problems in the United States and other developed countries. About 15% of adolescents (aged 12-19 years) and children (aged 6-11 years) are obese in the United States according to the American Obesity Association. The numbers are expected to continue increasing. Childhood obesity is one of our greatest health challenges.

Obesity has a profound effect on a child’s life. It increases the child’s risk of numerous health problems, and it also can create emotional and social problems. Obese children are also more likely to be obese as adults, increasing their risk of serious health problems such as heart disease and stroke.

If your child is overweight, further weight gain can be prevented. Parents can help their children keep their weight in the healthy range.

• In infancy, breastfeeding and delaying introduction of solid foods may help prevent obesity.
• In early childhood, children should be given healthful, low-fat snacks and take part in vigorous physical activity every day. Their television viewing should be limited.
• Older children can be taught to select healthy, nutritious foods and to develop good exercise habits. Their time spent watching television and playing with computer or video games should be limited. Snacking or eating meals in front of the TV should be avoided.