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PubMed2004

Burden of disease associated with overweight and obesity among U.S. military retirees and their dependents, aged 38-64, 2003.

PURPOSE: The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing in the general US population and in beneficiaries of the Department of Defense (DoD) Military Healthcare System. The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence and correlation of overweight, obesity and associated co-morbidities in the DoD beneficiary population. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was preformed on data from the DoD's 2003 Population Health Survey. Prevalence odds ratios (POR) were used to describe the association between overweight and obesity categories and prevalence of co-morbidities. RESULTS: Eighty percent of men and 60% of women were overweight or obese and 33% of men and 29% of women were obese. The PORs increased in magnitude corresponding to increasing BMI categories for all co-morbidities. The percent of individuals reporting between 2 and 4 co-morbidities also increased with increasing weight class. CONCLUSIONS: Overweight, obesity and associated co-morbidities are prevalent among DoD beneficiaries. Overweight and obese individuals have an increased prevalence of co-morbidities compared to normal weight individuals. Twenty plus years of active duty in the military does not confer any long-term protection against overweight, obesity or the associated co-morbidities. The DoD should emphasize prevention in order to reduce healthcare costs and the disease burden in this cohort.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Psychosocial concerns and weight control behaviors among overweight and nonoverweight Native American adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the psychosocial and weight-related concerns and weight control, eating, and exercise behaviors of overweight and nonoverweight Native American adolescents living on or near reservations. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey assessed psychosocial, health, and weight-specific concerns; disordered eating; and health-promoting behaviors. STUDY POPULATION: The study population included 11,868 Native American youth in grades 7 through 12. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Analyses of variance and chi 2 tests were used to examine associations between weight status and psychosocial and weight-related concerns and behaviors. Stratified analyses were done by gender and by gender and age. RESULTS: Self-reported weights and heights indicated that 25% of the study population was overweight. Overweight youth were twice as likely to report health concerns as nonoverweight youth. Although a high percentage of nonoverweight youth expressed body- or weight-related concerns and reported engaging in disordered eating behaviors, prevalence rates for these concerns were significantly higher among overweight youth. Overweight youth were also somewhat less likely to engage in health-promoting behaviors. In contrast, differences in global psychosocial concerns were minimal. APPLICATIONS: Overweight Native American youth were concerned about their weight, but did not appear to have major psychosocial concerns associated with being overweight. Interventions aimed at obesity prevention and overall health promotion are essential, given the high prevalence of obesity and of psychosocial and weight-related concerns and behaviors among the study population as a whole. The challenge is to develop culturally appropriate interventions aimed at the promotion of healthful weight control behaviors that will not lead to negative psychosocial consequences.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Social class, family, and life-style factors associated with overweight and obesity among adults in Peruvian cities.

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity have reached epidemic proportions in Latin America. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore social and behavioral factors associated with obesity in Peruvian cities. DESIGN: Between 1998 and 2000 health examination surveys were conducted among adults in 1176 families identified in six cities. Stratified by social class, multistaged random sampling was used. Using body mass index (weight (kg)/height (m)(2)), men and women were classified into normal weight (BMI <25), overweight (BMI 25-29), or obese (BMI > or =30); abdominal circumference (> or =94 cm in men and > or =84 cm in women) further identified morbidity risk. Several demographic, social, and behavioral variables were collected following standardized procedures. RESULTS: Adjusting for age, 37% of women were categorized as normal weight, 40% overweight, and 23% obese; corresponding figures for men were 40, 44, and 16%. More developed cities, e.g., Lima, Arequipa, and Ica, had the largest prevalence of overweight and obesity for both men and women. Adjusted logistic models showed that BMI > or =25 was positively correlated with age; whereas, education was negatively associated, only among women. Other significant associated factors of overweight included city of residence, television viewing > or =4 h daily in women, and underestimation of body weight status. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed elevated rates of overweight across the income level spectrum. Factors such as urban development stage, income, education, and gender posed differential relationships with the risk of overweight and must be considered in designing future public health interventions. Underestimation of body weight status and sedentary behavior may also constitute specific areas of intervention.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Perceived weight status in normal weight and overweight women.

The current study sought to assess women's knowledge of what objectively constitutes underweight, normal weight, or overweight for a given height, and how this knowledge is affected by a woman's own weight status. A total of 31 normal weight women and 20 overweight women were asked to provide predictions of weight ranges for a female 4 feet 11 in. to 6 feet 2 in. in height for the following categories: extremely underweight, underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese, and extremely obese. Each participant completed the questionnaire for all heights, although the critical values for each participant were the weight ranges given for their own height category. These predictions were then compared to the participants' own weight status using Body Mass Index (BMI). Results suggest that normal weight women tend to believe that women must be smaller in order to be classified as normal weight, overweight, or obese when compared to the objective BMI categories used by physicians and researchers. In other words, the normal weight participants underestimated the BMI ranges for the normal weight, overweight, and obese categories. Overall, the overweight participants were fairly accurate in their BMI predictions for the different weight categories. One implication of these findings is that normal weight women may have a bias toward overestimating their weight to be within an overweight range. The need for health care marketing efforts to increase awareness of objective weight categories is addressed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Physical activity and psychosocial correlates in normal weight and overweight 11 to 19 year olds.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined differences in (1) psychosocial correlates of physical activity and in (2) physical activity within different contexts and sedentary behaviors between normal weight and overweight adolescents. It further explored whether the prediction of physical activity by the psychosocial correlates is different in normal weight and overweight adolescents. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURE: A community sample of 6078 11 to 19 year olds from 38 secondary schools, which were randomly selected throughout the country, completed a validated computerized questionnaire about physical activity, sedentary behaviors, and psychosocial correlates. Differences in mean scores on the psychosocial correlates and on the self-rated physical activity were analyzed between the normal weight (n=5563) and the overweight (n=515, 8.5%) group. RESULTS: This study showed that overweight adolescents do less intense physical activities (p<0.001) and have less favorable psychosocial correlates related to physical activity (p<0.001) than their normal weight counterparts. However, the strength of the associations between psychosocial variables and total physical activity were comparable in overweight and normal weight adolescents. More support from family and friends, more fun in physical activity, higher self-efficacy, the perception of more competition benefits, and the perception of less lack of interest were all associated with higher total levels of physical activity. The results suggest that no specific tailoring on psychosocial correlates of physical activity is necessary for overweight adolescents compared with normal weight ones. DISCUSSION: Both overweight and normal weight adolescents can be approached by interventions focusing on the same psychosocial variables to increase physical activity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Metabolic syndrome in overweight and obese Japanese children.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of and sex differences related to the metabolic syndrome among obese and overweight elementary school children. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Subjects were 471 overweight or obese Japanese children. Children meeting at least three of the following five criteria qualified as having the metabolic syndrome: abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressure, low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels, high triglyceride levels, and high fasting glucose levels. Fasting insulin levels were also examined. RESULTS: Japanese obese children were found to have a significantly lower prevalence (17.7%) of the metabolic syndrome than U.S. obese adolescents (28.7%, p = 0.0014). However, Japanese overweight children had a similar incidence (8.7%) of the metabolic syndrome compared with U.S. overweight adolescents (6.8%). Hyperinsulinemia in girls and abdominal obesity in boys are characteristic features of individual metabolic syndrome factors in Japanese children. DISCUSSION: The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome is not lower in preteen Japanese overweight children than in U.S. overweight adolescents, although it is significantly lower in Japanese obese preteen children than in U.S. obese adolescents. Primary and secondary interventions are needed for overweight preteen children in Japan.

Abdomen↗
PubMed2005

Weight status in childhood as a predictor of becoming overweight or hypertensive in early adulthood.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the extent to which weight status in childhood or adolescence predicts becoming overweight or hypertensive by young adulthood. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: We conducted a prospective study of 314 children, who were 8 to 15 years old at baseline, and were followed up 8 to 12 years later. Weight, height, and blood pressure were measured by trained research staff. Incident overweight was defined as BMI>or=25 kg/m2 among participants who had not been overweight as children. RESULTS: More male subjects (48.3%) than female subjects (23.5%) became overweight or obese between their first childhood visit and the young adult follow-up (p<0.001). Being in the upper one half of the normal weight range (i.e., BMI between the 50th and 84th percentiles for age and gender in childhood) was a good predictor of becoming overweight as a young adult. Compared with children with a BMI<50th percentile, girls and boys between the 50th and 74th percentiles of BMI were approximately 5 times more likely [boys, odds ratio (OR)=5.3, p=0.002; girls, OR=4.8, p=0.07] and those with a BMI between the 75th and 84th percentiles were up to 20 times more likely (boys, OR=4.3, p=0.02; girls, OR=20.2, p=0.001) to become overweight. The incidence of high blood pressure was greater among the male subjects (12.3% vs. 1.9%). Compared with boys who had childhood BMI below the 75th percentile, boys between the 75th and 85th percentiles of BMI as children were four times more likely (OR=3.6) and those at above the 85th percentile were five times more likely (OR=5.1) to become hypertensive. DISCUSSION: High normal weight status in childhood predicted becoming overweight or obese as an adult. Also, among the boys, elevated BMI in childhood predicted risk of hypertension in young adulthood.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Antioxidant supplementation lowers exercise-induced oxidative stress in young overweight adults.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether antioxidant (AOX) supplementation attenuates post-exercise oxidative stress and contributors to oxidative stress (inflammation, blood lipids) in overweight young adults. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: This was a randomized, double-blind, controlled study. Overweight (BMI, 33.2 +/- 1.9 kg/m(2)) and comparative normal-weight (BMI, 21.9 +/- 0.5 kg/m(2)) adults 18 to 30 years old (total N = 48) were enrolled. Participants received either daily antioxidant (AOX) treatment (800 IU of vitamin E, 500 mg of vitamin C, 10 mg of beta-carotene) or placebo (PL) for 8 weeks for a total of four groups. All participants completed a standardized 30-minute cycle exercise bout at baseline and 8 weeks. Exercise-induced changes in lipid hydroperoxide (DeltaPEROX), C-reactive protein (DeltaCRP), interleukin-6 (DeltaIL-6), cholesterol subfractions, triglycerides, total AOX status (DeltaTAS), and adiponectin were assessed. RESULTS: Exercise-induced DeltaPEROX was lower in the overweight-AOX group (0.09 nM/kg per min) compared with PL-treated overweight and normal-weight groups (0.98, 0.53 nM/kg per min) by 8 weeks (p < 0.05). Adiponectin was increased in both overweight and normal-weight AOX groups (22.1% vs. 3.1%; p < 0.05) but reduced in PL groups. DeltaIL-6, Deltatotal cholesterol, and Deltalow-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations during exercise were lower in the AOX-treated groups compared with PL groups (all p < 0.05). After controlling for BMI, the Deltatotal cholesterol, Deltalow-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, Deltaadiponectin, and DeltaTAS explained 59.1% of the variance of the regression model of the DeltaPEROX by 8 weeks (total model R(2) = 0.600; p = 0.015). DISCUSSION: AOX lowers exercise-induced oxidative stress in overweight adults. Inflammatory and lipid markers may also be attenuated with AOX. Further studies are needed to determine whether AOX may be used in cardiovascular disease prevention in the overweight population.

Adiponectin↗
PubMed2007

Prevalence and risk factors of overweight and obesity in China.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence and risk factors of overweight and obesity in China. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a nationally representative sample of 15,540 Chinese adults in 2000-2001. Body weight, height, and waist circumference were measured by trained observers. Overweight and obesity were defined according to the World Health Organization classification. Central obesity was defined according to guidelines of the International Diabetes Federation. RESULTS: Mean BMI and waist circumference were 23.1 kg/m2 and 79.6 cm, respectively, for men and 23.5 kg/m2 and 77.2 cm, respectively, for women. The prevalences of overweight and obesity were 24.1% and 2.8% in men and 26.1% and 5.0% in women, respectively. The prevalence of central obesity was 16.1% in men and 37.6% in women. The prevalences of overweight, obesity, and central obesity were higher among residents in northern China compared with their counterparts in southern China and among those in urban areas compared with those in rural areas. Lifestyle factors were the most important risk factors to explain the differences in overweight and central obesity between northern and southern residents. Among women, lifestyle and diet were the most important risk factors to explain the differences between urban and rural residents, whereas socioeconomic status, lifestyle, and diet were all important among men. DISCUSSION: Our study indicates that overweight and obesity have become important public health problems in China. Environmental risk factors may be the main reason for regional differences in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in China.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

A comparison of international references for the assessment of child and adolescent overweight and obesity in different populations.

OBJECTIVE: To compare different references assessing child and adolescent overweight and obesity in different populations. DESIGN: Comparison cross-sectional study. SETTING: The United States, Russia, China. SUBJECTS: A total of 6108 American, 6883 Russian and 3014 Chinese children aged 6-18 y. INVESTIGATION: Using nationwide survey data from the USA (NHANES III, 1988-1994), Russia (1992), and China (1991), we compared three references: (1) the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) reference, sex-age-specific body mass index (BMI) cut-offs that correspond to BMIs of 25 for overweight and 30 for obesity at age 18; (2) the World Health Organization (WHO) reference--BMI 85th percentiles for overweight in adolescents (10-19 y) and weight-for-height Z-scores for obesity in children under 10; (3) a USA reference--BMI 85th and 95th percentiles to classify overweight and obesity, respectively. RESULTS: Using the IOTF reference and 85th BMI percentiles, overweight prevalence was 6.4 and 6.5% in China, 15.7 and 15.0% in Russia, and 25.5 and 24.4% in the USA, respectively. Notable differences existed for several ages. Kappa (=0.84-0.98) indicated an excellent agreement between the two references in general, although they varied by sex-age groupings and countries. Overweight prevalence was twice as high in children (6-9 y) than in adolescents (10-18 y) in China and Russia, but was similar in the USA. Estimates of obesity prevalence using these three references varied substantially. CONCLUSIONS: The references examined produce similar estimates of overall overweight prevalence but different estimates for obesity. One should be cautious when comparing results based on different references. SPONSORSHIP: University of Illinois and University of North Carolina.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Self-perception of physical competences in preadolescent overweight Chinese children.

OBJECTIVE: To compare self-perceptions of physical competences in overweight and in normal weight preadolescent Chinese children. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Three primary schools and a university hospital in Hong Kong. SUBJECTS: A total of 634 children, comprising 558 (462 normal weight, 96 overweight) aged 8-12 y randomly sampled from three primary schools, and 76 similar age overweight children recruited from the community for a diet and exercise intervention programme. MEASUREMENTS: Height, weight and percentage body fat were measured. Self-perceptions of physical competences were determined by Physical Self-Descriptive Questionnaire (PSDQ). Corresponding actual physical competences were measured by physical fitness tests. RESULTS: Overweight children perceived themselves to have significantly more body fat than normal weight children, with poorer appearance, sports competence, endurance, coordination, flexibility, overall physical self-concept and self-esteem, but to be no less healthy, no less physically active and no less strong. Overweight children performed less well than normal weight children in measures of endurance, coordination and flexibility but better in strength. Poor self-perception of physical competences appeared only partly related to deficiencies in actual physical competences. CONCLUSION: Overweight children have poorer self-perception of their physical competences but do not perceive themselves to be less strong, healthy or physically active than normal weight children. Exercise programmes for overweight children could be more effective if designed with the knowledge of these self-perceptions.

Body Composition↗
PubMed1998

Overweight school children in New York City: prevalence estimates and characteristics.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the prevalence of overweight and associated characteristics in a representative sample of children from schools in New York City (NYC). DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey with an in-person interview (including measurements of height and weight) and a household questionnaire. SUBJECTS: Second and fifth grade students from schools in NYC participated. A total of 1,396, including 692 second and 704 fifth grade, children were included in the analysis. MEASUREMENTS: Prevalence of overweight based on the body mass index (BMI) and the 85th or 95th percentile cutoff points from Cycles II and III of the National Health Examination Survey reference recently developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The characteristics of overweight examined were: age, gender, socio-economic status, Hispanic origin, family structure, number of children in the household, meal preparation by children, food diversity and participation in the National School Lunch Program. RESULTS: Overweight based on the 85th percentile of BMI was 37.5% among second grade and 31.7% among fifth grade children. Based on the 95th percentile, overweight was 19.9% and 17.8%, respectively. Overweight was associated with Hispanic origin, fewer children in the household, family structure and meal preparation by children. CONCLUSIONS: Overweight is prevalent among elementary school children in NYC. Studies in diverse geographically defined areas with diverse populations, are necessary to design effective prevention efforts. Primary prevention efforts in NYC should target Hispanics and take into consideration individual behaviour and family characteristics.

Body Mass Index↗
PubMed1999

Prevalence of overweight and obesity in American Indian School children and adolescents in the Aberdeen area: a population study.

OBJECTIVES: This study estimated the prevalences of overweight and obesity in American Indian children and adolescents attending schools in the Aberdeen area Indian Health Service (including SD, ND, IA, NE). METHODS: Stature and weight were measured for 12559 children aged 5-17y and prevalences of overweight and obesity were determined relative to gender and age-specific national reference data for the body mass index (BMI). Those with BMI > 85th percentile were considered overweight and those with BMI > 95th percentile were considered obese. RESULTS: Age-adjusted prevalences of overweight were 39.1% and 38.0% for males and females, respectively, and corresponding age-adjusted prevalences for obesity were 22.0% and 18.0%, respectively. There were few regular changes in prevalences of overweight across ages for either gender, or for obesity in females. Prevalences of obesity in males increased systematically with age and exceed prevalences in females at many ages. CONCLUSIONS: Overweight and obesity based on elevated BMI are highly prevalent among American Indian youth. Even at the youngest school ages, overweight is more than twice as likely as national patterns and obesity is more than three times as prevalent. Primary prevention must begin very early among these children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Growth and overweight of Navajo youth: secular changes from 1955 to 1997.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the growth status, prevalence of risk of overweight and of overweight, and secular changes in growth status in Navajo youth from 1955 to 1997. SUBJECTS: 526 (256 males, 270 females) Navajo children 6-12 y of age. MEASUREMENTS: Stature and mass were measured and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated. ANALYSIS: All three variables were plotted relative to age- and sex-specific US reference data and the prevalence rates for risk of overweight and of overweight were estimated using the BMI as the criterion. The cut-off for the risk of overweight was the age- and sex-specific 85th and 95th percentiles of NHANES I, while the cut-off for overweight was a BMI>/=95th percentiles. Age-specific sex differences were compared using independent samples t-tests. Secular changes for body size were estimated by comparing age- and sex-specific means for stature, mass, and the BMI in the present study and two previous studies in 1955 and 1989. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed between sexes within age groups. In both sexes, mean age-specific stature appeared to be relatively stable around the 50th percentile of US reference values. Mean age-specific mass appeared to be relatively stable between the 50th and 90th percentiles of the reference values, while the mean BMI tended to fluctuate about the 85th percentile. Approximately 41% of the Navajo boys and girls 6-12 y of age had BMIs >/=85th percentiles of US reference data. Compared to corresponding data on Navajo youth in 1955 and 1989, the current sample was larger in mass and the BMI. The estimated rate of secular change in mass was about 1.5 kg/decade in younger boys and girls, and about 3 kg/decade in older boys and girls between 1955 and 1997. The estimated rate of secular change in the BMI was about 0.5-1.0 units/decade between 1955 and 1997, while that for stature was about 2 cm/decade between 1955 and 1997. CONCLUSIONS: The results are consistent with recent findings on the Navajo Health and Nutrition Survey that overweight is a serious public health concern across the lifespan in the Navajo, and that the problem begins in childhood. Furthermore, Navajo children appear to be heavier than about a decade ago. International Journal of Obesity (2000) 24, 211-218

Arizona↗
PubMed2000

Increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity among Spanish adults, 1987-1997.

OBJECTIVE: To study the trend in the prevalence of obesity and overweight in Spanish men and women 25-64 y of age between 1987 and 1997. DESIGN: Cross-sectional surveys of representative samples of the non-institutionalized population in Spain in 1987, 1995 and 1997. SUBJECTS: 14,676 and 7004 adults aged 25-64 who were representative of the Spanish population in 1987 and 1995/1997. MEASURES: Body mass index (BMI) calculated from self-reported weight and height. Overweight is defined as BMI = 27-29.9 kg/m2 and obesity as BMI > or = 30 kg/m2. RESULTS: Between 1987 and 1995/97, the prevalence of overweight in the Spanish population aged 25-64 increased by 2.2% (P < 0.01); the increase was greater in men (3.8%; P < 0.01) than in women (0.6%; P > 0.05). The largest increases in the prevalence of overweight were seen in men (5.2%; P < 0.01) and women (2.3%; P < 0.05) aged 25-34. During the same period, the prevalence of obesity increased by 3.9% (P < 0.01), 4.6% in men (P < 0.01) and 3.2% in women (P < 0.01). The largest increases were seen in men aged 45-54 (6.5%, P < 0.01) and in women aged 25-34 (2.2%, P < 0.05). By educational level, the prevalence of overweight increased significantly in men with fewer than 12 y of education (4.7%, P < 0.01). Obesity increased by 4.6% (P < 0.01) and by 4.9% (P < 0.01) in men and women with fewer than 12 y of education, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing in Spain, the same as it is in other developed countries. The increase, which is found in most age and sex groups in the population, especially affects middle-aged men, young women and persons with lower educational level. The causes of the increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity are likely to be multifactorial.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Overweight and obesity in Saudi females of childbearing age.

OBJECTIVE: Overweight and obesity are among the most frequently encountered multifactorial disorders in most populations of the world. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Saudi females of childbearing age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was approved by the University Scientific Committee. It included a group of 600 randomly recruited healthy females with age ranging from 16-45 y. Four hundred and twenty one were students and 179 were housewives attending outpatient clinics for minor illnesses. Informed consent was obtained. Height and weight were recorded on one occasion. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated. RESULTS: Height, weight and BMI showed normal Gaussian distribution in these females and there was a significant positive correlation between BMI and age of each subject (r=0.505; P</=0.001). Prevalence of leanness, normal weight, overweight, obesity and morbid obesity were calculated in the total group and in different age groups. Significant increase in the prevalence of both overweight and obesity occurred with age. Unmarried and married females were compared and the latter had a higher prevalence of both overweight and obesity compared to the former. This difference persisted after taking into account differences in the age of the two groups. Students and housewives were compared but no differences in the prevalence were observed in the two groups. DISCUSSION: The results of this study show that overweight and obesity are frequently encountered in Saudi females of childbearing age. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher amongst a group of married women than among a group of single women. There is an urgent need to spread awareness about obesity, its consequences and ways and means of prevention among the females.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Mistakes were made: misperception as a barrier to reducing overweight.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the agreement between individuals' weight status as measured by their body mass index (BMI) and their perceptions of their weight status in the US population. DESIGN: Data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-94 (NHANES III), were used to cross-tabulate actual weight status and self-assessed weight status, identifying population proportions that underassessed or overassessed weight status. The study accounts for gender and socioeconomic and demographic variables to identify subpopulations in which relatively large numbers of individuals misperceive their weight status. MEASUREMENTS: Survey data included clinically measured height and weight. BMI was categorized (overweight, healthy weight, or underweight) following conventional cutpoints. In addition, each surveyed individual was asked to assess their own (categorical) weight status. SUBJECTS: NHANES III is representative of the US population. The sample included 7758 males and 8451 females aged 20 y or above after excluding women who were pregnant or breastfeeding. RESULTS: We show that large segments of the US population misperceive their weight status. The mix of misperceptions differs by gender, with men who are obese or overweight more likely than obese or overweight women to underassess their weight status. Women who are healthy weight/underweight are more likely than men to believe they are overweight. In addition to the gender differences, underassessors are more frequently found among those aged 65 y and over, individuals with relatively low education levels, lower income levels, and among non-Hispanic black subjects. Overassessors are more frequently found among women less than 65 y old (between the ages of 35 and 64 y for men), individuals with higher education levels, higher income levels, and among non-Hispanic white subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Information programs linking overweight and obesity with health risks might fail to induce diet and lifestyle changes if individuals fail to recognize they are overweight or obese. While there are large number of individuals who fail to recognize their overweight or obese status, there are indicator variables that can help identify this subpopulation. Thus, it is possible to first target a message that would attempt to correct misperceptions. If successful, the size of the population susceptible to a weight-health risk information program could increase.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Trends and predictors of overweight and obesity in East German children.

OBJECTIVE: Childhood overweight and obesity seem to be increasing at an alarming rate throughout the Western world. During the 1990's, tremendous socioeconomic changes have taken place in East Germany, and studies about the prevalence and trends of childhood overweight and obesity in Central Eastern European countries are rare. Therefore, we analyzed trends in overweight and obesity in East German school children. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: We examined 5- to 7-y-old school entrants, 8- to 10-y-old third graders and sixth-grade school children aged 11-14 y in three consecutive surveys performed in 1992-93, 1995-96, and 1998-99 in Eastern Germany. In total, we received 7611 questionnaires. Information about height and weight was available for 6650 children. RESULTS: Overweight and obesity showed a significant increasing trend for 11- to 14-y and 8- to 10-y-old children but not for the school entrants aged 5-7 y. After adjustment for age, sex, season and area, the risk of being overweight in 1998-99 compared to 1992-93 was 1.6 (CI 1.4-1.9) and 1.9 (CI 1.4-2.5) for obesity, respectively. Low birth weight and higher parental education were protective factors for overweight and obesity. Breast feeding was protective with regard to obesity. This effect was stronger if the children were exclusively breast-fed. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our data provide further evidence that the prevalence of overweight and obesity increases. These results might suggest that preventive actions should start as early as possible and children from disadvantaged families might be considered as a susceptible subgroup.

Adolescent↗