Figure
6.1. Prevalence of obesity among adults aged 20 years and over:United States,
1997-2001
NOTES: Obesity is
defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or more. The analysis
excluded people with unknown height or weight. CI is confidence interval.
DATA SOURCE: Sample Adult
Core component of the 1997-2001 National Health Interview Surveys.
In
2001, 23.0% (95% CI = 22.4%-23.5%) of U.S. adults aged 20 years and over
were obese.
The
annual prevalence of obesity among U.S. adults aged 20 years and over has
increased over time from 19.4% in 1997 to 20.6% in 1998, 21.5% in 1999,
21.8% in 2000, and 23.0% in 2001.