April 2006

Study finds obesity continues to worsen

Twelve years ago a Harris Poll reported that “Americans are the fattest people on earth and getting fatter every year.” Unfortunately, this still holds true. A new Harris Poll finds that more U.S. adults are overweight and obese than ever before.

Several different ways of defining and measuring that which constitutes being overweight and obese are used in the medical community. Harris Interactive has been using one method based on weight, height, and body frame (small, medium, or large) since 1983.

In 2005 and for this new survey, Harris Interactive also calculated body mass index (BMI) using just height and weight. Regardless of the method used, the new survey shows a sharp increase this year in the percentage of U.S. adults who are overweight and obese.

Using the old definition (weight, height and body frame), the proportion of adults 25 years of age and over who are overweight increased to 83 percent this year, up from its highest previous measure of 80 percent in 2002 and 2003. Using this same measure, and counting those who are 20 percent or more overweight, fully 39 percent of U.S. adults are now obese.

Using the BMI, the new survey finds the percentage of overweight adults has increased from 59 to 66 percent this year, and those who are obese increased from 23 to 27 percent.

Source: Harris Interactive, Inc., www.harrisinteractive.com

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