Obesity Statistics and the Impact of Obesity
Impact of Obesity
- IFA # 2013-10: Changes to Student Weight Status Reporting Improves Data Quality (PDF, 102KB)
- IFA # 2013-06: Rates of Student Obesity are Significantly Higher in High Need School Districts (PDF, 118KB)
- IFA # 2013-05: One-third of School-age Children in New York State (exclusive of New York City) are Overweight or Obese (PDF, 151KB)
- IFA #2012-02: Pediatric Health Care Providers Play an Important Role in Preventing Childhood Obesity (PDF, 107KB)
- IFA #2011-5: Child Sugar-sweetened Beverage Consumption
- Drinking sugar-sweetened beverages daily linked to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, increased healthcare costs. American Heart Association meeting report.
- Overweight and obesity are significant risk factors for many chronic diseases and conditions, including: heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), stroke, diabetes, endometrial, breast and colon cancers, arthritis, sleep apnea, respiratory problems, vision and reproductive problems.
- Overweight and obesity and their associated diseases and conditions have a significant impact on the healthcare system in the U.S. and New York State. CDC's Economic Consequences.
- According to NYS Comptroller DiNapoli, New York ranks second among states in adult obesity-related medical expenditures, with total spending in New York increasing to an $7.6 billion (from $6.1 billion), 81% of which is paid by Medicaid and Medicare. Preventing and Reducing Childhood Obesity in New York.
Obesity Statistics
New York State
- Overweight and Obesity. New York State Adults 2011. BRFSS Brief. Number 1304 (PDF, 287KB)
- Adult Overweight and Obesity in New York State, 2000-2010 (PDF, 776KB)
- Student Weight Status Data
- Obesity Statistics and Prevention Activities by County
- Based on self-reported height and weight, 60% of adults in New York State are either overweight or obese. Overweight and obesity are more prevalent among African Americans (66%) than among Caucasians (61%). Overweight and Obesity in New York State Adults 2008.
- Between 2003 and 2007, the prevalence of obesity in New York City increased from 20% to 22%. Obesity was highest and increased the most among people living in low-income neighborhoods. Differences in obesity existed between neighborhoods with different levels of access to physical activity opportunities and food amenities. Reference: Black JL, Macinko J. The changing distribution of and determinants of obesity in neighborhoods of New York City, 2003-2007. Am J Epidemiol.Advance Acces published on February 19, 2010. doi:10.1093/aje/kwp458
- A 2003 survey of kindergarten through fifth grade students in New York City revealed that 24% were obese, compared to 19% of second through fifth grade students in 1990. References: Melnik TA, Rhoades SJ, Wales KR, Cowell C, Wolfe WS. Overweight school children in New York City: prevalence estimates and characteristics. Int.J Obes.Relat Metab Disord. 1998;22(1):7-13. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1448480/ Thorpe LE, List DG, Marx T, May L, Helgerson SD, Frieden TR. Childhood obesity in New York City elementary school students. Am.J Public Health. 2004;94(9):1496-1500.
- Based on the 2004 cycle of the Oral Health, Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey of third graders in upstate New York, 21% were obese. In a 1987 survey, 13% of second and fifth graders were obese. References: Wolfe WS, Campbell CC, Frongillo EA, Jr., Haas JD, Melnik TA. Overweight schoolchildren in New York State: prevalence and characteristics (PDF, 1.6MB, 7pg.). Am.J Public Health. 1994;84(5):807-813.
- Obesity prevalence among 2-5 year olds enrolled in WIC in NYS increased from 12% in 1989 to 16% in 2004. Reference: Edmunds LS, Woelfel ML, Dennison BA, Stratton H, Pruzek RM, Abusabha R. Overweight Trends among Children Enrolled in the New York State Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. J.Am.Diet.Assoc. 2006;106(1):113-117.
- Between 2003 and 2008 the obesity prevalence among 2-5 year-olds enrolled in WIC in NYS decreased from 17% to 15%. However, childhood obesity remains a serious public health problem. Reference: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Obesity prevalence among low-income, preschool-aged children - United State, 1998-2008. MMWR 2009 July 24;58(28):769-73.
U.S.
- During the past 20 years there has been a dramatic increase in obesity among adults. CDC's U.S. Obesity Trends. Reference: Flegal, KM, Carroll, MD, Ogden CL, et al. Prevalence and Trends in Obesity Among US Adults (PDF, 275KB, 8pg.), 1999-2008 JAMA. 2010;303(3):235-241
- Obesity is more prevalent among African Americans (44%) than among Mexican Americans (39%) and Non-Hispanic Whites (33%). Reference: Flegal, KM, Carroll, MD, Ogden CL, et al. Prevalence and Trends in Obesity Among US Adults (PDF, 275KB, 8pg.), 1999-2008 JAMA. 2010;303(3):235-241
- Obesity among U.S. children and adolescents 2 to 19 years of age has tripled over the past two decades. CDC's NHANES Surveys (1976-1980 and 2003-2006). References: Ogden CL, Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Johnson CL. Prevalence and trends in overweight among U.S. children and adolescents, 1999–2000. JAMA 2002;288:1728–1732. Hedley AA, Ogden CL, Johnson CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, Flegal KM. Prevalence of overweight and obesity among US children, adolescents, and adults, 1999–2002. JAMA 2004;291:2847–2850. Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Flegal KM. High Body Mass Index for Age Among US Children and Adolescents, 2003–2006. JAMA 2008;299:2401–2405
- Obesity among U.S. children and adolescents 2 to 19 years of age is more prevalent among African Americans (21%) and Mexican Americans (21%) than among Non-Hispanic Whites (15%). Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Flegal KM. High Body Mass Index for Age Among US Children and Adolescents, 2003–2006. JAMA 2008;299:2401–2405.
- Among US children enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in 2008, American Indian children and Hispanic children had the highest prevalence of obesity (20% and 18%, respectively), followed by Whites (13%) and Blacks (12%). Reference: CDC Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance Survey, 2008.
