|
US
Adults | US Youth | BMI
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 to the left 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 1991,
four states had obesity prevalence rates of 15–19
percent and no states had rates at or above 20 percent.
In 2004, 3 states had
obesity prevalence rates of 15–19 percent; 35 states
had rates of 20–24
percent; and ten states had rates more than 25 percent. (No
data is available for Hawaii.)
In 2006, only four states had a prevalence of obesity less than 20%. Twenty-two states had a prevalence equal or greater than 25%; two of these states (Mississippi and West Virginia) 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
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*. In both the 6 – 11
and 12 – 19 age groups, 16 percent (over 9 million) are
overweight according to the 1999-2002 data. This represents
a 45 percent increase from the 1988 – 1994 time period.
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.
Age / Percentage of children who are
overweight.
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.
|
