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You are here : Articles > Weight Facts & Figures > proportion of adults who are at a healthy weight
February 06, 2012

Increase the proportion of adults who are at a healthy weight


Baseline Target
Objective Year Baseline 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2010
19-1 Healthy weight in adults (age adjusted, aged 20                        
years and over) 1988-94 42% --- --- --- --- 33% --- --- --- --- 60%
Race and ethnicity                        
American Indian or Alaska Native only 1988-94 DSU --- --- --- --- DSU --- --- --- --- 60%
Asian or Pacific Islander only 1988-94 DNA --- --- --- --- DNC --- --- --- --- 60%
Asian only 1988-94 DNC --- --- --- --- DSU --- --- --- --- 60%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander only 1988-94 DNC --- --- --- --- DSU --- --- --- --- 60%
Black or African American only 1988-94 34% --- --- --- --- DNA --- --- --- --- 60%
White only 1988-94 42% --- --- --- --- DNA --- --- --- --- 60%
2 or more races 1988-94 DNC --- --- --- --- DSU --- --- --- --- 60%
American Indian or Alaska Native; White 1988-94 DNC --- --- --- --- DSU --- --- --- --- 60%
Black or African American; White 1988-94 DNC --- --- --- --- DSU --- --- --- --- 60%
Hispanic or Latino 1988-94 DSU --- --- --- --- DSU --- --- --- --- 60%
Mexican American 1988-94 30% --- --- --- --- 26% --- --- --- --- 60%
Not Hispanic or Latino 1988-94 43% --- --- --- --- DNA --- --- --- --- 60%
Black or African American only, not Hispanic or Latino 1988-94 34% --- --- --- --- 28% --- --- --- --- 60%
White only, not Hispanic or Latino 1988-94 43% --- --- --- --- 34% --- --- --- --- 60%
Gender                        
Female 1988-94 45% --- --- --- --- 36% --- --- --- --- 60%
Male 1988-94 38% --- --- --- --- 30% --- --- --- --- 60%
Family income level                        
Lower income level (<=130% of poverty threshold) 1988-94 38% --- --- --- --- 32% --- --- --- --- 60%
Higher income level (>130% of poverty threshold) 1988-94 43% --- --- --- --- 33% --- --- --- --- 60%
Disability status                        
Persons with disabilities 1991-94 32% --- --- --- --- 27% --- --- --- --- 60%
Persons without disabilities 1991-94 41% --- --- --- --- 35% --- --- --- --- 60%
Select populations                        
Age groups                        
Persons aged 20 to 39 years (not age adjusted) 1988-94 51% --- --- --- --- 40% --- --- --- --- NA
Persons aged 40 to 59 years (not age adjusted) 1988-94 36% --- --- --- --- 29% --- --- --- --- NA
Persons aged 60 years and older (not age                        
adjusted) 1988-94 36% --- --- --- --- 28% --- --- --- --- NA
Persons with arthritis 1991-94 36% --- --- --- --- 26% --- --- --- --- 60%
Persons without arthritis 1991-94 43% --- --- --- --- 35% --- --- --- --- 60%
Persons with diabetes 1988-94 26% --- --- --- --- 16% --- --- --- --- 60%
Persons without diabetes 1988-94 43% --- --- --- --- 34% --- --- --- --- 60%
Persons with high blood pressure 1988-94 27% --- --- --- --- 17% --- --- --- --- 60%
Persons without high blood pressure 1988-94 46% --- --- --- --- 38% --- --- --- --- 60%
 
 
DATA ISSUES
--- = Data are not available.
DNA = Data have not been analyzed.
DNC = Data for specific population are not collected.
DSU = Data do not meet the criteria for statistical reliability, data quality, or confidentiality.
NA = Not applicable.
 
 
DATA SOURCE
19-1 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), CDC, NCHS.

Additional Information

Numerator: Number of persons aged 20 years and older with a BMI equal to or greater than 18.5 and less than 25.0.

Denominator: Number of persons aged 20 years and older.

Population Targeted: U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population.

The NHANES obtains measured weights and heights without shoes. BMI is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by the square of height in meters.

The selection of a BMI cut-point to establish the healthy weight range is based on the relationship of overweight or obesity to disease or death. A BMI of less than 25 has been accepted by numerous groups as the upper limit of the healthy weight range, because more disease occurs in most populations at or above this cut-point. The lower cut-point for the healthy weight range (BMI of 18.5) was selected to be consistent with national and international recommendations.

Pregnant women are excluded from the numerator and denominator.