Epidemiologic Reviews Advance Access originally published online on May 17, 2007
Epidemiologic Reviews 2007 29(1):6-28; doi:10.1093/epirev/mxm007
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ARTICLES |
The Obesity Epidemic in the United States—Gender, Age, Socioeconomic, Racial/Ethnic, and Geographic Characteristics: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression Analysis
From the Center for Human Nutrition, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
Correspondence to Dr. Youfa Wang, Center for Human Nutrition, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street E2546, Baltimore, MD 21205 (e-mail: ywang{at}jhsph.edu).
accepted for publication January 25, 2007.
This review of the obesity epidemic provides a comprehensive description of the current situation, time trends, and disparities across gender, age, socioeconomic status, racial/ethnic groups, and geographic regions in the United States based on national data. The authors searched studies published between 1990 and 2006. Adult overweight and obesity were defined by using body mass index (weight (kg)/height (m)2) cutpoints of 25 and 30, respectively; childhood "at risk for overweight" and overweight were defined as the 85th and 95th percentiles of body mass index. Average annual increase in and future projections for prevalence were estimated by using linear regression models. Among adults, obesity prevalence increased from 13% to 32% between the 1960s and 2004. Currently, 66% of adults are overweight or obese; 16% of children and adolescents are overweight and 34% are at risk of overweight. Minority and low-socioeconomic-status groups are disproportionately affected at all ages. Annual increases in prevalence ranged from 0.3 to 0.9 percentage points across groups. By 2015, 75% of adults will be overweight or obese, and 41% will be obese. In conclusion, obesity has increased at an alarming rate in the United States over the past three decades. The associations of obesity with gender, age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status are complex and dynamic. Related population-based programs and policies are needed.
body mass index • ethnic groups • obesity • overweight • social class • United States
Add Health study, National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health • BMI, body mass index • BRFSS, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System • NHANES, National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys • SES, socioeconomic status
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  K. M. Harris, K. M. Perreira, and D. Lee Obesity in the Transition to Adulthood: Predictions Across Race/Ethnicity, Immigrant Generation, and Sex Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, November 1, 2009; 163(11): 1022 - 1028. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. L.G. Borzekowski Considering Children and Health Literacy: A Theoretical Approach Pediatrics, November 1, 2009; 124(Supplement_3): S282 - S288. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 E. Hering, I. Pritsker, L. Gonchar, and G. Pillar Obesity in Children Is Associated With Increased Health Care Use Clinical Pediatrics, October 1, 2009; 48(8): 812 - 818. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. A Beydoun, M. T F. Kuczmarski, M. A Mason, S. M Ling, M. K Evans, and A. B Zonderman Role of depressive symptoms in explaining socioeconomic status disparities in dietary quality and central adiposity among US adults: a structural equation modeling approach Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, October 1, 2009; 90(4): 1084 - 1095. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 F. Lopez-Jimenez, J. A. Batsis, V. L. Roger, L. Brekke, H. H. Ting, and V. K. Somers Trends in 10-Year Predicted Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in the United States, 1976 to 2004 Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes, September 1, 2009; 2(5): 443 - 450. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. V. Chobanian The Hypertension Paradox -- More Uncontrolled Disease despite Improved Therapy N. Engl. J. Med., August 27, 2009; 361(9): 878 - 887. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. Gallar Obesity and climate change Int. J. Epidemiol., August 17, 2009; (2009) dyp279v1. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. P. Jackson, S. A. Sexton, W. L. Walter, W. K. Walter, and B. A. Zicat The impact of obesity on the mid-term outcome of cementless total knee replacement J Bone Joint Surg Br, August 1, 2009; 91-B(8): 1044 - 1048. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M.V. Groth, S. Fagt, A. Stockmarr, J. Matthiessen, and A. Biltoft-Jensen Dimensions of socioeconomic position related to body mass index and obesity among Danish women and men Scand J Public Health, June 1, 2009; 37(4): 418 - 426. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Bethell, D. Read, E. Goodman, J. Johnson, J. Besl, J. Cooper, and L. A. Simpson Consistently Inconsistent: A Snapshot of Across- and Within-State Disparities in the Prevalence of Childhood Overweight and Obesity Pediatrics, June 1, 2009; 123(Supplement_5): S277 - S286. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
L. Chen, L. J Appel, C. Loria, P.-H. Lin, C. M Champagne, P. J Elmer, J. D Ard, D. Mitchell, B. C Batch, L. P Svetkey, et al. Reduction in consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with weight loss: the PREMIER trial Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, May 1, 2009; 89(5): 1299 - 1306. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 E. B. Levitan, A. Z. Yang, A. Wolk, and M. A. Mittleman Adiposity and Incidence of Heart Failure Hospitalization and Mortality: A Population-Based Prospective Study Circ Heart Fail, May 1, 2009; 2(3): 202 - 208. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 E. V. Sanchez-Vaznaugh, I. Kawachi, S. V. Subramanian, B. N. Sanchez, and D. Acevedo-Garcia Do Socioeconomic Gradients in Body Mass Index Vary by Race/Ethnicity, Gender, and Birthplace? Am. J. Epidemiol., May 1, 2009; 169(9): 1102 - 1112. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. A. Demirovic, A. B. Pai, and M. P. Pai Estimation of creatinine clearance in morbidly obese patients Am. J. Health Syst. Pharm., April 1, 2009; 66(7): 642 - 648. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
W. R Robinson, P. Gordon-Larsen, J. S Kaufman, C. M Suchindran, and J. Stevens The female-male disparity in obesity prevalence among black American young adults: contributions of sociodemographic characteristics of the childhood family Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, April 1, 2009; 89(4): 1204 - 1212. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. M McCaffery, G. D Papandonatos, D. S Bond, M. J Lyons, and R. R Wing Gene x environment interaction of vigorous exercise and body mass index among male Vietnam-era twins Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, April 1, 2009; 89(4): 1011 - 1018. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. E. Anderson and R. C. Whitaker Prevalence of Obesity Among US Preschool Children in Different Racial and Ethnic Groups Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, April 1, 2009; 163(4): 344 - 348. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 R.-C. Huang, T. A. Mori, V. Burke, J. Newnham, F. J. Stanley, L. I. Landau, G. E. Kendall, W. H. Oddy, and L. J. Beilin Synergy Between Adiposity, Insulin Resistance, Metabolic Risk Factors, and Inflammation in Adolescents Diabetes Care, April 1, 2009; 32(4): 695 - 701. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 L. Terre Children's Nutritional Health: Running on Empty? American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, March 1, 2009; 3(2): 115 - 118. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 W. Li, J. L. Kelsey, Z. Zhang, S. C. Lemon, S. Mezgebu, C. Boddie-Willis, and G. W. Reed Small-Area Estimation and Prioritizing Communities for Obesity Control in Massachusetts Am J Public Health, March 1, 2009; 99(3): 511 - 519. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. Kleindorfer Sociodemographic Groups at Risk: Race/Ethnicity Stroke, March 1, 2009; 40(3_suppl_1): S75 - S78. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 H. Jia and E. I. Lubetkin The statewide burden of obesity, smoking, low income and chronic diseases in the United States J. Public Health Med., February 27, 2009; (2009) fdp012v1. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
F. Li, P. Harmer, B. J. Cardinal, M. Bosworth, D. Johnson-Shelton, J. M. Moore, A. Acock, and N. Vongjaturapat Built Environment and 1-Year Change in Weight and Waist Circumference in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Portland Neighborhood Environment and Health Study Am. J. Epidemiol., February 15, 2009; 169(4): 401 - 408. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C. S. Elangbam REVIEW PAPER: Current Strategies in the Development of Anti-obesity Drugs and Their Safety Concerns Vet. Pathol., January 1, 2009; 46(1): 10 - 24. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. N Bleich, Y C. Wang, Y. Wang, and S. L Gortmaker Increasing consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages among US adults: 1988-1994 to 1999-2004 Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, January 1, 2009; 89(1): 372 - 381. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. R. Gabel, H. Whitmore, J. Pickreign, C. C. Ferguson, A. Jain, S. KC, and H. Scherer Obesity And The Workplace: Current Programs And Attitudes Among Employers And Employees Health Aff., January 1, 2009; 28(1): 46 - 56. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 L. Rutkow, J. S. Vernick, J. G. Hodge Jr., and S. P. Teret Preemption and the obesity epidemic: state and local menu labeling laws and the nutrition labeling and education act. J. Law Med. Ethics, December 1, 2008; 36(4): 772 - 789. [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C. Grimes-Robison and R. R. Evans Benefits and barriers to medically supervised pediatric weight-management programs J Child Health Care, December 1, 2008; 12(4): 329 - 343. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. A. Beydoun, A. Lhotsky, Y. Wang, G. D. Forno, Y. An, E. J. Metter, L. Ferrucci, R. O'Brien, and A. B. Zonderman Association of Adiposity Status and Changes in Early to Mid-Adulthood With Incidence of Alzheimer's Disease Am. J. Epidemiol., November 15, 2008; 168(10): 1179 - 1189. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. E. Kendzor, L. M. Cofta-Woerpel, C. A. Mazas, Y. Li, J. I. Vidrine, L. R. Reitzel, T. J. Costello, M. S. Businelle, J. S. Ahluwalia, P. M. Cinciripini, et al. Socioeconomic Status, Negative Affect, and Modifiable Cancer Risk Factors in African-American Smokers Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., October 1, 2008; 17(10): 2546 - 2554. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S. K. Kumanyika, E. Obarzanek, N. Stettler, R. Bell, A. E. Field, S. P. Fortmann, B. A. Franklin, M. W. Gillman, C. E. Lewis, W. C. Poston II, et al. Population-Based Prevention of Obesity: The Need for Comprehensive Promotion of Healthful Eating, Physical Activity, and Energy Balance: A Scientific Statement From American Heart Association Council on Epidemiology and Prevention, Interdisciplinary Committee for Prevention (Formerly the Expert Panel on Population and Prevention Science) Circulation, July 22, 2008; 118(4): 428 - 464. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
T. Bjorge, A. Engeland, A. Tverdal, and G. D. Smith Body Mass Index in Adolescence in Relation to Cause-specific Mortality: A Follow-up of 230,000 Norwegian Adolescents Am. J. Epidemiol., July 1, 2008; 168(1): 30 - 37. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. M. Finkelstein, E. L. Hill, and R. C. Whitaker School Food Environments and Policies in US Public Schools Pediatrics, July 1, 2008; 122(1): e251 - e259. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. Franco MD PhD, P. Ordunez MD PhD, B. Caballero MD PhD, and R. S. Cooper MD Obesity reduction and its possible consequences: What can we learn from Cuba's Special Period? Can. Med. Assoc. J., April 8, 2008; 178(8): 1032 - 1034. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. R. Schwartz, S. P. Patil, A. M. Laffan, V. Polotsky, H. Schneider, and P. L. Smith Obesity and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Pathogenic Mechanisms and Therapeutic Approaches Proceedings of the ATS, February 15, 2008; 5(2): 185 - 192. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. E. Spurlock and N. K. Gabler The Development of Porcine Models of Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome J. Nutr., February 1, 2008; 138(2): 397 - 402. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 B. O. Yildiz, E. S. Knochenhauer, and R. Azziz Impact of Obesity on the Risk for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., January 1, 2008; 93(1): 162 - 168. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. K. Kumanyika The Obesity Epidemic: Looking in the Mirror Am. J. Epidemiol., August 1, 2007; 166(3): 243 - 245. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. Drewnowski The Real Contribution of Added Sugars and Fats to Obesity Epidemiol. Rev., June 24, 2007; (2007) mxm011v1. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|