Who Is At Risk for Overweight and Obesity?

Populations Affected

Overweight and obesity affect Americans of all ages, sexes, racial/ethnic groups, and educational levels. This serious health problem has been growing over the years. In fact, overweight and obesity in adults have doubled since 1980, and overweight in children and teens has tripled.

Adults

According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003–2004, about one-third of adults in the United States are overweight and slightly more than one-third are obese. The survey also shows differences in overweight and obesity according to racial/ethnic groups.

• In women, overweight and obesity are highest for non-Hispanic Black women (about 82 percent), compared to about 75 percent for Mexican American women and 58 percent for non-Hispanic White women.
• In men, overweight and obesity also are higher for minority groups. They’re highest for Mexican American men (about 76 percent), compared to about 71 percent for non-Hispanic White men and about 69 percent for non-Hispanic Black men.

Children and Teens

According to NHANES 2003–2004, overweight and the risk for overweight is rising in children and teens. The survey shows that:

• About 19 percent of school-aged children and about 17 percent of teens are overweight.
• About 18 percent of school-aged children and about 17 percent of teens are at risk for overweight.

There are also some differences in overweight according to racial/ethnic groups.

• In male children and teens, overweight is highest for Mexican Americans (about 22 percent), compared to 17 percent for non-Hispanic Whites and about 16 percent for non-Hispanic Blacks.
• In female children and teens, overweight is highest for non-Hispanic Blacks (23 percent), compared to 16 percent for Mexican Americans and about 14 percent for non-Hispanic Whites.

Income

Overweight and obesity are also common in groups with low incomes. Women with low incomes are about 50 percent more likely to be obese than women with higher incomes. Among children and teens, overweight in non-Hispanic White teens is related to a lower family income.

Low-income families also buy more high-calorie, high-fat foods, which may add to the problem. This is because they tend to cost less than more healthful foods such as fruits and vegetables.