Context The prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased markedly in the last 2 decades in the United States. Objective To update the US prevalence estimates of overweight in children and obesity in adults, using the most recent national data of height and weight measurements. Design, Setting, and Participants As part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a complex multistage probability sample of the US noninstitutionalized civilian population, both height and weight measurements were obtained from 4115 adults and 4018 children in 1999-2000 and from 4390 adults and 4258 children in 2001-2002. Main Outcome Measure Prevalence of overweight (body mass index [BMI] Ն95th percentile of the sex-specific BMI-forage growth chart) among children and prevalence of overweight (BMI, 25.0-29.9), obesity (BMI Ն30.0), and extreme obesity (BMI Ն40.0) among adults by sex, age, and racial/ethnic group.

The social environment and exposure to life challenge affect a person's physical and emotional well-being. The present research uses a population-based study of the elderly in Taiwan to elaborate the cumulative physiological costs -as reflected in biological markers of risk factors known to have adverse consequences for health -of challenge and unfavourable position in social hierarchies and networks. Overall, biological markers of risk among the elderly are similar in Taiwan and the United States. However, male and female Taiwanese elderly are at lower risk for illness associated with indicators of DHEA-S, while women are at higher risk for illness associated with elevated blood pressure, and men at lower risk for illness associated with total/HDL cholesterol, and glycosylated haemoglobin. There are strong and statistically significant effects of position in social hierarchy (education) and challenge (recent widowhood and a perception of high demands) on an index of cumulative risk (allostatic load). Membership in social networks and participation in social activities have expected, but not statistically discernible, effects.

Multiple emergency contraception doses supplied in advance did not tempt condom users to risk unprotected intercourse. After unprotected intercourse, however, those with pills on hand used them more often. Women found advance provision useful.

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