UroToday – The success of the fast food and soft drink industries has translated into an unprecedented rise in childhood and adult obesity. This epidemic has had a direct impact on our (urologists) practice due to its association with carcinogenesis in the prostate and kidney.

In the April 5 issue of JAMA, Ogden and colleagues from the CDC present updated estimates in the prevalence of childhood and adult obesity in the United States.

Height and weight measurements were recorded for 3958 children and 4431 adults in 2003 and 2004. These data, part of the National Health and Nutrition Survey, was compared from prior data from 1999 – 2000, and 2001-2002. Being overweight in children and adolescents was defined as having a BMI above the 95% for age. In adults, obesity and extreme obesity was defined as a BMI above 30 and 40, respectively.

Prevalence of Obesity: Children and Adolescents

1999-2000
At risk for overweight 28.2%
Overweight 13.9%

2001-2002
At risk for overweight 30.0%
Overweight 15.4%

2003-2004
At risk for overweight 33.6%
Overweight 17.1%

Risk of being overweight in children and adolescents

White
Male 1.00
Female 1.00

Hispanic
Male 1.73 (1.42 – 2.10)
Female 1.56 (1.28 – 1.88)

African American
Male 1.13 (0.91 -1.40)
Female 1.46 (1.22 – 1.73)

Prevalence of Obesity: Adults

1999-2000
Obese 30.5%
Extreme Obese 4.7%

2001-2002
Obese 30.6%
Extreme Obese 5.1%

2003-2004
Obese 32.2%
Extreme Obese 4.8%

Risk of obesity in adults

White
Men 1.00
Women 1.00

Hispanic
Men 1.02 ( 0.87 – 1.20)
Women 1.31 (1.11 – 1.55)

African American
Men 0.99 (0.86 – 1.15)
Women 2.01 (1.76 – 2.29)

Statistical analysis was significant for male and female children and adolescents, with a prevalence increase of overweight in female children and adolescents from 13.8% in 1999-2000 to 16.0% in 2003-2004. The prevalence of overweight in male children and adolescents rose from 14.0% to 18.2%. The prevalence of obesity in adult men rose from 27.5% to 31.1% over the period studied. No significant changes in weight were seen among women over the period studied. Significant ethnic differences persisted especially among Hispanic men and African American women.

By Ricardo Sбnchez-Ortiz, MD

Reference:
JAMA. 2006;295:1549-1555.
Link Here.
Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, McDowell MA, Tabak CJ, Flegal KM.

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