ABSTRACT
In spite of society’s preoccupation with weight loss, the epidemic of obesity is continuing to increase. The 1999-2000 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) estimated that 64% of US adults are either overweight or obese, an increase of 8% in just 6 years (Fig. 35.1). Furthermore, more of the overweight subjects are becoming obese. The prevalence of obesity has doubled during this same period from 15% to 30.5%. Women predominate among the obese population. The NHANES 19992000 data report a greater percentage of obesity among women (33%) than men (28%). While there was no difference in obesity and overweight based on race among men, nonHispanic black women have the highest rate of obesity in women. The prevalence of overweight or obesity in nonHispanic black women over 40 years old is greater than 80%!1
