03-28-2009, 01:33 AM
Obesity Epidemic and the Metabolic Syndrome
Obesity in the United States has reached epidemic proportions. According to 1999-2002
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data, over 30% of adults are
classified as obese (body mass index (BMI) ³ 30), and another 35% classified as overweight
(BMI between 25 and 29.9) (1). The increase in overweight and obesity has been startlingly
quick, with much of the increase occurring within the past 15 to 20 years.
While adult obesity has been a primary focus of both researchers and media reports,
children and adolescents are increasingly overweight, as well. From 1999-2002, over 15% of
children and adolescents aged 6-19 were overweight (³95th percentile of age- and sex-specific
BMI) (1; 2), and another 15% were considered œat risk for overweight (³85th and
Obesity in the United States has reached epidemic proportions. According to 1999-2002
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data, over 30% of adults are
classified as obese (body mass index (BMI) ³ 30), and another 35% classified as overweight
(BMI between 25 and 29.9) (1). The increase in overweight and obesity has been startlingly
quick, with much of the increase occurring within the past 15 to 20 years.
While adult obesity has been a primary focus of both researchers and media reports,
children and adolescents are increasingly overweight, as well. From 1999-2002, over 15% of
children and adolescents aged 6-19 were overweight (³95th percentile of age- and sex-specific
BMI) (1; 2), and another 15% were considered œat risk for overweight (³85th and