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) 20032004, 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. Theyre 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 20032004, 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. |