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Trends in obesity and abdominal obesity among adults in the United States from 1999–2008

Abstract

Background and Objective:

The United States has experienced a large increase in the prevalence of obesity since the 1970s. Our objective was to describe recent trends in obesity and abdominal obesity among adults in the United States.

Design:

Trend study of cross-sectional studies.

Subjects:

We used data from up to 22 872 men and non-pregnant women aged 20 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2008.

Main Outcome Measures:

Main outcome measures are mean body mass index and waist circumference, percentages of obesity and abdominal obesity. Obesity was defined as a body mass index 30 kg m−2, and abdominal obesity was defined as a waist circumference 102 cm in men and 88 cm in women.

Results:

In men, the age-adjusted mean body mass index, mean waist circumference, and prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity were 27.8 kg m−2, 99.1 cm, and 26.9 and 37.8%, respectively, during 1999–2000 and 28.5 kg m−2 (Ptrend=0.001), 100.8 cm (Ptrend=0.002), and 32.0 (Ptrend=0.001) and 43.7% (Ptrend=0.002), respectively, during 2007–2008. In women, the age-adjusted mean body mass index, mean waist circumference, and prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity were 28.2 kg m−2, 92.2 cm, and 33.2 and 55.8%, respectively, during 1999–2000 and 28.6 kg m−2 (Ptrend=0.181), 94.9 cm (Ptrend=0.006), and 35.2 (Ptrend=0.180) and 61.8% (Ptrend=0.036), respectively, during 2007–2008. Significant linear trends for increasing prevalence of obesity were noted among men with the least and most education.

Conclusion:

Between 1999 and 2008, both obesity and abdominal obesity increased in men, and abdominal obesity increased in women.

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Correspondence to E S Ford.

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The findings and conclusions in this article are those of the authors and do not represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Ford, E., Li, C., Zhao, G. et al. Trends in obesity and abdominal obesity among adults in the United States from 1999–2008. Int J Obes 35, 736–743 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2010.186

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