Overweight And Obesity - Statistics

Statistical Fact Sheet — Risk Factors 2009 Update

Overweight and Obesity — Statistics •

On the basis of 2003–06 data from NHANES (NCHS), the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children 2–5 years of age, based on BMI-for-age at or above the 85th percentile of the 2000 CDC growth charts, was 25.4 percent for non-Hispanic white boys and 20.9 percent for non-Hispanic white girls; for non-Hispanic black boys it was 23.2 percent and for non-Hispanic black girls it was 26.4 percent; for Mexican-American boys it was 32.4 percent and for Mexican-American girls it was 27.3 percent. In children 6–11 years of age, the prevalence was 31.7 percent for non-Hispanic white boys and 31.5 percent for non-Hispanic white girls; for non-Hispanic black boys it was 33.8 percent and for non-Hispanic black girls it was 40.1 percent; for Mexican-American boys it was 47.1 percent and for MexicanAmerican girls it was 38.1 percent. In children 12–19 years of age, the prevalence was 34.5 percent for non-Hispanic white boys and 31.7 percent for non-Hispanic white girls; for nonHispanic black boys it was 32.1 percent for non-Hispanic black girls it was 44.5 percent; for Mexican-American boys it was 40.5 percent and for Mexican-American girls it was 37.1 percent.

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Among children ages 2–19, 23.4 million are overweight and obese (BMI-for-age at or above the 85th percentile of the 2000 CDC growth charts.): ⎯ 12.3 million males. ⎯ 11.1 million females. (NHANES [2003-2006], NCHS. and NHLBI.)

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Among children ages 2–19, 12 million are obese (BMI-for-age at or above the 95th percentile of the CDC growth charts.): ⎯ 6.4 million males. ⎯ 5.6 million females. (NHANES [2003-2006], NCHS. and NHLBI.)

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Among children ages 2–19, the following are overweight and obese (BMI-for-age at or above the 85th percentile of the 2000 CDC growth charts.): ⎯ For non-Hispanic whites, 31.9 percent of males and 29.5 percent of females. ⎯ For non-Hispanic blacks, 30.8 percent of males and 39.2 percent of females. ⎯ For Mexican Americans, 40.8 percent of males and 35.0 percent of females.

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Among children ages 2–19, the following are obese (BMI-for-age at or above the 85th percentile of the 2000 CDC growth charts.): ⎯ For non-Hispanic whites, 15.6 percent of males and 13.6 percent of females. ⎯ For non-Hispanic blacks, 17.4 percent of males and 24.1 percent of females. ⎯ For Mexican Americans, 23.2 percent of males and 18.5 percent of females. (NHANES [2003-2006], NCHS. and NHLBI.)

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Overweight and Obesity — Statistics

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Age-Adjusted Prevalence of Obesity in Adults Ages 20–74 by Sex and Survey NHES 1960–62; NHANES: 1971–74, 1976–80, 1988–94 and 2001–04 Percent of Population

40

34 30.2

30

26 20.6

20 10.7 12.2

15.7

12.8

16.8 17.1

10 0 Men

1960-62

Note:

Women

1971-74

1976-80

1988-94

2001-2004

Obesity is defined as a BMI (body mass index) of 30.0 and higher.

Source: Health, United States, 2007; NCHS.

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Among Americans age 20 and older, 145.0 million are overweight or obese (BMI of 25.0 kg/m2 and higher): ⎯ 76.9 million men. ⎯ 68.1 million women. Of these, 74.1 million are obese (BMI of 30.0 kg/m2 and higher): ⎯ 34.7 million men. ⎯ 39.4 million women. (NHANES [2003-2006], NCHS and NHLBI.)

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Among Americans age 20 and older, the following are overweight or obese (BMI of 25.0 and higher): ⎯ For non-Hispanic whites, 72.4 percent of men and 57.5 percent of women. ⎯ For non-Hispanic blacks, 73.7 percent of men and 77.7 percent of women. ⎯ For Mexican Americans, 74.8 percent of men and 73.0 percent of women. Of these, the following are obese (BMI of 30.0 and higher): ⎯ For non-Hispanic whites, 32.3 percent of men and 32.7 percent of women. ⎯ For non-Hispanic blacks, 36.8 percent of men and 52.9 percent of women. ⎯ For Mexican Americans, 26.8 percent of men and 41.9 percent of women. (NHANES [2003-2006], NCHS and NHLBI..)

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Among adults age 18 and older, the following are overweight or obese (BMI of 25 kg/m2 and higher for overweight and 30.0 and higher for obesity) ⎯ For Hispanic or Latinos, 67.8 percent are overweight and 27.5 percent are obese. ⎯ For Asians only, 38.1 percent are overweight and 8.9 percent are obese. ⎯ For American Indians/Alaska Natives, 67.1 percent are overweight and 32.4 percent are obese.

(NHIS [2007], NCHS; data are weighted percentages for Americans age 18 and older. Personal communication.)

Overweight and Obesity — Statistics Note:

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In U.S. government statistics, “Hispanic” includes persons who trace their ancestry to Spanish-speaking countries or other Spanish cultures, regardless of race. It doesn’t include people from countries where Spanish is not the first language.

Abbreviations Used: BMI – body mass index CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CI – confidence interval Kg/m2 –kilograms per meter2 NCHS – National Center for Health Statistics NH – non-Hispanic NHANES – National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, NCHS NHES – National Health Examination Survey, NCHS NHIS – National Health Interview Survey, NCHS NHLBI – National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

For additional information, charts and tables, see the Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics – 2009 Update, published in Circulation and available on our Web site.