Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the United States, 1999-2004

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Abstract
Obesity continues to be a leading public health concern in the United States.1,2 Between 1980 and 2002, obesity prevalence doubled in adults aged 20 years or older and overweight prevalence tripled in children and adolescents aged 6 to 19 years.3-5 This article provides the most recent prevalence estimates of overweight and obesity based on national measurements of weight and height in 2003-2004 and compares these estimates with estimates from 1999-2000 and 2001-2002 to determine if the trend is continuing.