Skip directly to search Skip directly to A to Z list Skip directly to site content
CDC Home

Persons using assistive technology might not be able to fully access information in this file. For assistance, please send e-mail to: mmwrq@cdc.gov. Type 508 Accommodation and the title of the report in the subject line of e-mail.

QuickStats: Prevalence of Obesity (Class I, II, and III)* Among Adults Aged ≥20 Years, by Age Group and Sex --- National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, United States, 2007--2008

The figure shows the prevalence of obesity (class I, II, and III) among adults aged ≥20 years, by age group and sex, from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, from 2007-2008. During 2007-2008, men had a higher prevalence of class I obesity (21.5%) than women (17.8%). However, women had a higher prevalence of class II (10.5%) and class III (7.2%) obesity then men (6.5% and 4.2%). The prevalence of class I obesity significantly increased with age in men, but not in women. The prevalence of class II and class III obesity did not differ significantly by age for either men or women.

* Class I obesity defined as a body mass index (BMI: weight [kg] / height [m2]) ≥30 but <35. Class II obesity defined as a BMI ≥35 but <40. Class III obesity defined as a BMI ≥40.

† 95% confidence interval.

During 2007--2008, men had a higher prevalence of class I obesity (21.5%) than women (17.8%). However, women had a higher prevalence of class II (10.5%) and class III (7.2%) obesity then men (6.5% and 4.2%). The prevalence of class I obesity significantly increased with age in men, but not in women. The prevalence of class II and class III obesity did not differ significantly by age for either men or women.

SOURCES: Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Ogden CL, Curtin LR. Prevalence and trends in obesity among US adults 1999--2008. JAMA 2010;303:235--41.

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007--2008. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes.htm.

Alternate Text: The figure above shows the prevalence of obesity (class I, II, and III) among adults aged ≥20 years, by age group and sex, from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, from 2007-2008. During 2007-2008, men had a higher prevalence of class I obesity (21.5%) than women (17.8%). However, women had a higher prevalence of class II (10.5%) and class III (7.2%) obesity then men (6.5% and 4.2%). The prevalence of class I obesity significantly increased with age in men, but not in women. The prevalence of class II and class III obesity did not differ significantly by age for either men or women.



Use of trade names and commercial sources is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

References to non-CDC sites on the Internet are provided as a service to MMWR readers and do not constitute or imply endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. CDC is not responsible for the content of pages found at these sites. URL addresses listed in MMWR were current as of the date of publication.


All MMWR HTML versions of articles are electronic conversions from typeset documents. This conversion might result in character translation or format errors in the HTML version. Users are referred to the electronic PDF version (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr) and/or the original MMWR paper copy for printable versions of official text, figures, and tables. An original paper copy of this issue can be obtained from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), Washington, DC 20402-9371; telephone: (202) 512-1800. Contact GPO for current prices.

**Questions or messages regarding errors in formatting should be addressed to mmwrq@cdc.gov.

 
USA.gov: The U.S. Government's Official Web PortalDepartment of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   1600 Clifton Road Atlanta, GA 30329-4027, USA
800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348 - Contact CDC–INFO
A-Z Index
  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. E
  6. F
  7. G
  8. H
  9. I
  10. J
  11. K
  12. L
  13. M
  14. N
  15. O
  16. P
  17. Q
  18. R
  19. S
  20. T
  21. U
  22. V
  23. W
  24. X
  25. Y
  26. Z
  27. #