The Obesity Epidemic in the United States Gender, Age, Socioeconomic, Racial/Ethnic, and Geographic Characteristics: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression Analysis

Abstract

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.

Wealth gradient-based divergence in the prevalence of underweight among women by marital status in Quoc Oai district, Vietnam

“…These patterns are consistent with previous studies from Western countries, where the ‘never married’ status and high income were associated with a low BMI among women [33,34]. In Westernized countries, where thin women are often considered more attractive, unmarried women may use their economic resources to maintain a lean physique by living in neighborhoods that promote physical activity and purchasing health-promoting goods and healthy foods [35].…”

Metabolic Syndrome in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease

“…Prior population‐based estimates of the prevalence of metabolic syndrome relied on heavily screened populations. It may also represent underlying socioeconomic, racial, or geographic differences 31. Group Health enrollees are demographically similar to the area population in western Washington, but compared with the national US population, the cohort has fewer racial/ethnic minorities.…”

Overweight but unseen: a review of the underestimation of weight status and a visual normalization theory

“…However, visual normalization may also be important in explaining some of the social patterning of the under‐detection of overweight and obesity. In developed countries, the prevalence of obesity is higher in low socioeconomic groups and among people of African descent communities, as opposed to wealthier Caucasian communities 92, 93, 94, which results in more frequent visual exposure to larger body sizes. This level of increased exposure to obesity would be predicted to affect the range of body sizes that socioeconomically disadvantaged and people of African descent perceive as being ‘normal’, which in turn would explain why underestimation of overweight and obesity is more common in these demographics.…”