ContextThe prevalence of overweight in children and adolescents and obesity in adults in the United States has increased over several decades.ObjectiveTo provide current estimates of the prevalence and trends of overweight in children and adolescents and obesity in adults.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsAnalysis of height and weight measurements from 3958 children and adolescents aged 2 to 19 years and 4431 adults aged 20 years or older obtained in 2003-2004 as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a nationally representative sample of the US population. Data from the NHANES obtained in 1999-2000 and in 2001-2002 were compared with data from 2003-2004.Main Outcome MeasuresEstimates of the prevalence of overweight in children and adolescents and obesity in adults. Overweight among children and adolescents was defined as at or above the 95th percentile of the sex-specific body mass index (BMI) for age growth charts. Obesity among adults was defined as a BMI of 30 or higher; extreme obesity was defined as a BMI of 40 or higher.ResultsIn 2003-2004, 17.1% of US children and adolescents were overweight and 32.2% of adults were obese. Tests for trend were significant for male and female children and adolescents, indicating an increase in the prevalence of overweight in female children and adolescents from 13.8% in 1999-2000 to 16.0% in 2003-2004 and an increase in the prevalence of overweight in male children and adolescents from 14.0% to 18.2%. Among men, the prevalence of obesity increased significantly between 1999-2000 (27.5%) and 2003-2004 (31.1%). Among women, no significant increase in obesity was observed between 1999-2000 (33.4%) and 2003-2004 (33.2%). The prevalence of extreme obesity (body mass index ≥40) in 2003-2004 was 2.8% in men and 6.9% in women. In 2003-2004, significant differences in obesity prevalence remained by race/ethnicity and by age. Approximately 30% of non-Hispanic white adults were obese as were 45.0% of non-Hispanic black adults and 36.8% of Mexican Americans. Among adults aged 20 to 39 years, 28.5% were obese while 36.8% of adults aged 40 to 59 years and 31.0% of those aged 60 years or older were obese in 2003-2004.ConclusionsThe prevalence of overweight among children and adolescents and obesity among men increased significantly during the 6-year period from 1999 to 2004; among women, no overall increases in the prevalence of obesity were observed. These estimates were based on a 6-year period and suggest that the increases in body weight are continuing in men and in children and adolescents while they may be leveling off in women.

/pdf/prevalence-of-overweight-and-obesity-in-the-united-states-3e2vt9vqld.pdf

Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the United States, 1999-2004

Results In 2007-2008, the age-adjusted prevalence of obesity was 33.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 31.6%-36.0%) overall, 32.2% (95% CI, 29.5%-35.0%) among men, and 35.5% (95% CI, 33.2%-37.7%) among women. The corresponding prevalence estimates for overweight and obesity combined (BMI 25) were 68.0% (95% CI, 66.3%-69.8%), 72.3% (95% CI, 70.4%-74.1%), and 64.1% (95% CI, 61.3%66.9%). Obesity prevalence varied by age group and by racial and ethnic group for both men and women. Over the 10-year period, obesity showed no significant trend among women (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] for 2007-2008 vs 1999-2000, 1.12 [95% CI, 0.89-1.32]). For men, there was a significant linear trend (AOR for 2007-2008 vs 1999-2000, 1.32 [95% CI, 1.12-1.58]); however, the 3 most recent data points did not differ significantly from each other.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/articlepdf/185235/joc90148_235_241.pdf

Prevalence and trends in obesity among US adults, 1999-2008.

The purpose of this Position Stand is to provide guidance to professionals who counsel and prescribe individualized exercise to apparently healthy adults of all ages. These recommendations also may apply to adults with certain chronic diseases or disabilities, when appropriately evaluated and advised by a health professional. This document supersedes the 1998 American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Position Stand, "The Recommended Quantity and Quality of Exercise for Developing and Maintaining Cardiorespiratory and Muscular Fitness, and Flexibility in Healthy Adults." The scientific evidence demonstrating the beneficial effects of exercise is indisputable, and the benefits of exercise far outweigh the risks in most adults. A program of regular exercise that includes cardiorespiratory, resistance, flexibility, and neuromotor exercise training beyond activities of daily living to improve and maintain physical fitness and health is essential for most adults. The ACSM recommends that most adults engage in moderate-intensity cardiorespiratory exercise training for ≥30 min·d on ≥5 d·wk for a total of ≥150 min·wk, vigorous-intensity cardiorespiratory exercise training for ≥20 min·d on ≥3 d·wk (≥75 min·wk), or a combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity exercise to achieve a total energy expenditure of ≥500-1000 MET·min·wk. On 2-3 d·wk, adults should also perform resistance exercises for each of the major muscle groups, and neuromotor exercise involving balance, agility, and coordination. Crucial to maintaining joint range of movement, completing a series of flexibility exercises for each the major muscle-tendon groups (a total of 60 s per exercise) on ≥2 d·wk is recommended. The exercise program should be modified according to an individual's habitual physical activity, physical function, health status, exercise responses, and stated goals. Adults who are unable or unwilling to meet the exercise targets outlined here still can benefit from engaging in amounts of exercise less than recommended. In addition to exercising regularly, there are health benefits in concurrently reducing total time engaged in sedentary pursuits and also by interspersing frequent, short bouts of standing and physical activity between periods of sedentary activity, even in physically active adults. Behaviorally based exercise interventions, the use of behavior change strategies, supervision by an experienced fitness instructor, and exercise that is pleasant and enjoyable can improve adoption and adherence to prescribed exercise programs. Educating adults about and screening for signs and symptoms of CHD and gradual progression of exercise intensity and volume may reduce the risks of exercise. Consultations with a medical professional and diagnostic exercise testing for CHD are useful when clinically indicated but are not recommended for universal screening to enhance the safety of exercise.

/pdf/quantity-and-quality-of-exercise-for-developing-and-1fohxlhqop.pdf

Quantity and Quality of Exercise for Developing and Maintaining Cardiorespiratory, Musculoskeletal, and Neuromotor Fitness in Apparently Healthy Adults: Guidance for Prescribing Exercise

ContextAbout 5% of the US population is morbidly obese. This disease remains
largely refractory to diet and drug therapy, but generally responds well to
bariatric surgery.ObjectiveTo determine the impact of bariatric surgery on weight loss, operative
mortality outcome, and 4 obesity comorbidities (diabetes, hyperlipidemia,
hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea).Data Sources and Study SelectionElectronic literature search of MEDLINE, Current Contents, and the Cochrane
Library databases plus manual reference checks of all articles on bariatric
surgery published in the English language between 1990 and 2003. Two levels
of screening were used on 2738 citations.Data ExtractionA total of 136 fully extracted studies, which included 91 overlapping
patient populations (kin studies), were included for a total of 22 094
patients. Nineteen percent of the patients were men and 72.6% were women,
with a mean age of 39 years (range, 16-64 years). Sex was not reported for
1537 patients (8%). The baseline mean body mass index for 16 944 patients
was 46.9 (range, 32.3-68.8).Data SynthesisA random effects model was used in the meta-analysis. The mean (95%
confidence interval) percentage of excess weight loss was 61.2% (58.1%-64.4%)
for all patients; 47.5% (40.7%-54.2%) for patients who underwent gastric banding;
61.6% (56.7%-66.5%), gastric bypass; 68.2% (61.5%-74.8%), gastroplasty; and
70.1% (66.3%-73.9%), biliopancreatic diversion or duodenal switch. Operative
mortality (≤30 days) in the extracted studies was 0.1% for the purely restrictive
procedures, 0.5% for gastric bypass, and 1.1% for biliopancreatic diversion
or duodenal switch. Diabetes was completely resolved in 76.8% of patients
and resolved or improved in 86.0%. Hyperlipidemia improved in 70% or more
of patients. Hypertension was resolved in 61.7% of patients and resolved or
improved in 78.5%. Obstructive sleep apnea was resolved in 85.7% of patients
and was resolved or improved in 83.6% of patients.ConclusionsEffective weight loss was achieved in morbidly obese patients after
undergoing bariatric surgery. A substantial majority of patients with diabetes,
hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea experienced complete
resolution or improvement.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/articlepdf/199587/JRV40082.pdf

Bariatric surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Results In 2009-2010 the age-adjusted mean BMI was 28.7 (95% CI, 28.3-29.1) for men and also 28.7 (95% CI, 28.4-29.0) for women. Median BMI was 27.8 (interquartile range [IQR], 24.7-31.7) for men and 27.3 (IQR, 23.3-32.7) for women. The age-adjusted prevalence of obesity was 35.5% (95% CI, 31.9%-39.2%) among adult men and 35.8% (95% CI, 34.0%-37.7%) among adult women. Over the 12-year period from 1999 through 2010, obesity showed no significant increase among women overall (age- and race-adjusted annual change in odds ratio [AOR], 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.03; P=.07), but increases were statistically significant for non-Hispanic black women (P=.04) and Mexican American women (P=.046). For men, there was a significant linear trend (AOR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02-1.06; P.001) over the 12-year period. For both men and women, the most recent 2 years (2009-2010) did not differ significantly (P=.08 for men and P=.24 for women) from the previous 6 years (20032008). Trends in BMI were similar to obesity trends.

/pdf/prevalence-of-obesity-and-trends-in-the-distribution-of-body-14thi4mqtd.pdf

Prevalence of Obesity and Trends in the Distribution of Body Mass Index Among US Adults, 1999-2010

Clinical guidelines on the identification, evaluation, and treatment of overweight and obesity in adults: Executive summary

More than half of adult Americans are overweight or obese, and public health recommendations call for weight loss in those who are overweight with associated medical conditions or who are obese. However, some controversy exists in the lay press and in the medical literature about the health risks of obesity. We review briefly the large body of evidence indicating that higher levels of body weight and body fat are associated with an increased risk for the development of numerous adverse health consequences. Efforts to prevent further weight gain in adults at risk for overweight and obesity are essential. For those whose present or future health is at risk because of their obesity and who are motivated to make lifestyle changes, a recommendation for weight loss is appropriate.

G. T. Wilson

Papers

Clinical guidelines on the identification, evaluation, and treatment of overweight and obesity in adults: Executive summary

Overweight, obesity, and health risk.