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Obesity Trends

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Obesity Trends - United States Children and Adolescents

The trend towards overweight in adults is mirrored in children and adolescents. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) reveal a disturbing increase in t he percent of children who are overweight*. Data from NHANES I (1971–1974) to NHANES 2003–2006 show increases in overweight among all age groups:

Graph showing percentage of children overweight by age.

    • Among preschool-aged children, aged 2–5 years, the prevalence of overweight increased from 5.0% to 12.4%.
    • Among school-aged children, aged 6–11 years, the prevalence of overweight increased from 4.0% to 17.0%.
    • Among school-aged adolescents, aged 12–19 years, the prevalence of overweight increased from 6.1% to 17.6%.

 

For more details about the “Prevalence of overweight among children and adolescents in the United States”, visit: www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity and see “obesity trends” section.

*overweight for children is defined as BMI-for-age at or above the 95th percentile of the Centers for Disease Control Growth Charts.  

 

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Obesity Trends - United States Adults

During the past 20 years there has been a dramatic and alarming rise in obesity in the United States. Obesity is defined as having a very high amount of body fat in relation to lean body mass. We fall in the obese category if our body mass index (BMI) is 30 or higher. BMI is one tool for evaluating our weight in relation to our height. A high BMI indicates a greater risk for weight related problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure. See below for more information on BMI.

Obesity Trends in the US - maps

The data shown in the maps above were collected through CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Each year, state health departments collect data through a series of monthly telephone interviews with U.S. adults.

  • In 1990, among states participating in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 10 states had a prevalence of obesity less than 10% and no states had prevalence equal to or greater than 15%.
  • By 1998, no state had prevalence less than 10%, seven states had a prevalence of obesity between 20-24%, and no state had prevalence equal to or greater than 25%.
  • In 2007, only one state (Colorado) had a prevalence of obesity less than 20%.  Thirty states had a prevalence equal to or greater than 25%; three of these states (Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee) had a prevalence of obesity equal to or greater than 30%.

To learn more about causes of overweight and obesity, health and economic consequences, and recommendations, go to www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity.

A powerpoint file with charts for all years can be downloaded from
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/trend/maps/index.htm

 

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What is BMI?

Here’s some more information about how to calculate body mass index or BMI. We can use the formula below or go to the BMI calculator at: www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/bmicalc.htm

BMI = weight (lbs) X 703 / height (inches) ²

In most cases, BMI is a reliable indicator of total body fat. However, there are some limitations because the BMI formula uses total body weight and doesn’t differentiate between what is muscle weight and fat weight. For this reason, BMI may:

  • Overestimate body fat in athletes and others who have a muscular build.
  • Underestimate body fat in older persons and others who have lost muscle mass.
Looking at BMI alone doesn ’t determine if our weight is healthy. We need to consider the location and amount of body fat we carry as well as our family history of health problems.

 

 

SFUSD Trends

Surveys
California Healthy    Kids (CHKS)
   Youth Risk    Behavior (YRBS)
FITNESSGRAM

National Trends

Obesity Trends
Diabetes

Policies

Policies and Standards

 

 

Artwork by SFUSD Students
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