fig4
The bar graph shows the age-adjusted prevalence of overweight and obesity among U.S. adults aged 20 to 74 years. The source of the data is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Obese is defined as having a Body Mass Index greater than or equal to 30, and overweight is defined as having a Body Mass Index from 25 to 29.9.
During the 1976 to 1980 NHANES II survey, 15 percent of adults were obese and 32 percent of adults were overweight, with a total of 47 percent of adults being either obese or overweight.
During the 1988 to 1994 NHANES III survey, 23 percent of adults were obese and 33 percent were overweight, with a total of 56 percent of adults being either obese or overweight.
During the 1999 NHANES survey, 27 percent of adults were obese and 34 percent were overweight, with a total of 61 percent of adults being either obese or overweight.
