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Increasing prevalence of overweight among Wisconsin adults, 1989-1998
A Russell1, P Remington, P Rumm
1Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Wisconsin (UW) Medical School, USA.
Objectives:
Overweight is an important condition that increases the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. We examined trends in overweight prevalence among Wisconsin adults from 1989 to 1998 and assessed progress in reaching the overweight 2000 goal for Wisconsin.
Methods:
We used data on the self-reported height, weight, and calculated body mass index from the Wisconsin Behavioral Risk Factor Survey to examine overweight prevalence trends among Wisconsin adults.
Results:
The prevalence of overweight has increased over 40% during the past decade from 23% of adults in 1989, to 34% of adults in 1998. The increase occurred in men and women, blacks and whites, and all age groups. In 1998, 330,000 more adults were overweight in Wisconsin, compared to 1989.
Conclusion:
As rates of overweight continue to increase, the incidence and prevalence of many chronic diseases will also increase. Effective population-based efforts are required to reduce caloric intake and increase physical activity among Wisconsin adults.