RT Journal
A1 Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Ogden CL, Johnson CL
T1 PRevalence and trends in obesity among us adults, 1999-2000
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 2002
FD October 9
VO 288
IS 14
SP 1723
OP 1727
DO 10.1001/jama.288.14.1723
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.288.14.1723
AB Context 
                  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.Objective 
                  To examine trends and prevalences of overweight (body mass index [BMI]
≥25) and obesity (BMI ≥30), using measured height and weight data.Design, Setting, and Participants 
                  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.Main Outcome Measure 
                  Age-adjusted prevalence of overweight, obesity, and extreme obesity
compared with prior surveys, and sex-, age-, and race/ethnicity–specific
estimates.Results 
                  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 ≥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.Conclusions 
                  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.