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 1994.
11.10 :  Increase in Overweight Teens

Contact:  Jeff Lancashire (CDC/NCHS)(301) 436-7551
Thursday, Nov. 10, 1994


                      OVERWEIGHT TEENS INCREASE TO 21 PERCENT

      The proportion of overweight adolescents in the United States
increased to 21 percent in the survey period 1988-91, according to
data released today by HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala.

      Secretary Shalala said, "It is clear that too many of our teen-
agers are overweight because they are inactive.  Another CDC study
earlier this week reported that only 37 percent of ninth through
12th graders engage in 20 minutes of vigorous physical activity
three or more times a week, while 35 percent watch TV three or more
hours every school day."

      The prevalence of overweight teens was 6 percentage points
higher than the 15 percent base-line established in an earlier
survey conducted in 1976-80.  The analysis of the third National
Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was produced by the National
Center for Health Statistics and published today in the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly
Report.  

      While not necessarily obese, 22 percent of adolescent females
were overweight and 20 percent of adolescent males.  

      Other NHANES III data released in June showed the proportion of
overweight adults increased from 25 percent in 1976-80 to 33 in
1988-91.

      Data on both adults and adolescents are based on definitions of
overweight used in Healthy People 2000, national health goals set
for the turn of the century by health authorities under the auspices
of the U.S. Public Health Service.

      "Our national health objective for the year 2000 is to have 
overweight prevalence among adolescents no more than 15 percent,"
said Philip R. Lee, M.D., HHS assistant secretary for health and
director of the U.S. Public Health Service.  "We are obviously off
course to meet that goal and the health consequences are severe.
Teen-age overweight patterns often persist throughout adulthood,
increasing the risks of coronary heart disease, diabetes and some
cancers."

      Copies of the MMWR are available from the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Ga. 30333.

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