Prevalence of Obesity

Overview
Visualizations (2)
Data

Description:

The data represent adults for whom BMI can be calculated from their self-reported weight and height (excluding unknowns or refusals to provide weight or height).
The cut of points used to group the populations were:

Overweight: BMI is between 25.0 and 29.9
Obese: BMI is 30.0 or higher
Neither: BMI is less than 25

Physical inactivity and unhealthy eating contribute to obesity and a number of chronic diseases, including some cancers, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Being overweight or obese increases the risk for multiple chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, and certain cancers. An appropriate amount, intensity, and duration of regular physical activity and decreased caloric intake might reduce a person’s BMI.

Respondents tend to overestimate their height and underestimate their weight, leading to underestimation of BMI and of the prevalence of overweight and obesity.

Data Source:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Data.
http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/brfss

Data Quality Comments:

Data based on the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, an ongoing, state-based, random-digit-dialed telephone survey of non-institutionalized civilian adults aged 18 years and older. As with all self-reported sample surveys, BRFSS data might be subject to systematic error resulting from non-coverage (e.g., lower telephone coverage among populations of low socioeconomic status), non-response (e.g., refusal to participate in the survey or to answer specific questions), or measurement (e.g., social desirability or recall bias). More information about the BRFSS is available at: http://www.cdc.gov/brfss/index.htm.

Percentages are weighted to reflect population characteristics.

Recently published guidelines have established additional BMI cut points for weight: Underweight, <18.5; Normal, 18.5–24.9; Overweight, 25.0–29.9; Obesity I, 30.0–34.9; Obesity II, 35.0–39.9; Obesity III, >=40.0.