Increases in morbid obesity in the USA: 2000-2005

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Obesity Research

Background:

• Overweight and obesity rates have risen in developed countries over the past two decades.
• Clinically severe or morbid obesity, defined as over 100 pounds (45kg) overweight, presents the most serious health challenges.
• Trends in morbid obesity may differ from general overweight or moderate obesity, despite increased bariatric surgery rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate trends in extreme weight categories (Body Mass Index [BMI] >40 and >50) in the USA between 1986 and 2005.
• To analyze changes in these extreme weight trends since the year 2000.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) spanning 1986 to 2005.
• Analyzed self-reported weight and height to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI) as the primary outcome measure.
• Employed a random-digit telephone survey methodology for the US household population.

Main Results:

• Obesity prevalence (BMI >30) increased by 24% from 2000 to 2005.
• Prevalence of BMI >40 (approx. 100 pounds overweight) rose by 50%, and BMI >50 by 75% in the same period.
• The highest BMI categories have demonstrated the fastest growth rates for the past 20 years.

Conclusions:

• Clinically severe obesity is escalating faster than moderate obesity in US adults.
• This suggests a population-wide shift in weight distribution, disproportionately impacting extreme weight categories.
• Increased comorbidities and healthcare utilization among severely obese individuals mean that general overweight trends underestimate population health impacts; bariatric surgery expansion has not curbed morbid obesity rates.