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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:
- 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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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.
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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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.
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