Figure
6.2. Prevalence of obesity among adults aged 20 years and over,by age group and sex:
United States, 2001
NOTES: Obesity is
defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or more. The analysis
excluded 1,433 people with unknown height or weight. CI is confidence
interval.
DATA SOURCE: Sample
Adult Core component of the 2001 National Health Interview Survey.
For
both sexes combined, the prevalence of obesity was higher among adults
aged 40-59 years (26.5%, 95% CI = 25.6%-27.5%) compared with adults aged
20-39 years (20.1%, 95% CI = 19.2%-21.0%) and adults aged 60 years and
over (21.9%, 95% CI = 20.7%-23.0%). This pattern in obesity by age group
was seen in both men and women.