Trends in general and abdominal obesity in US adults: Evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2001-2018)

Abstract

Aim: This study investigates the trend in general obesity and abdominal obesity in US adults from 2001 to 2018.

Methods: We included 44,184 adults from the nine cycles of the continuous NHANES (2001-2002, 2003-2004, 2005-2006, 2007-2008, 2009-2010, 2011-2012, 2013-2014, 2015-2016, and 2017-2018). The age-adjusted mean body mass index and waist circumference were calculated, and the sex-specific annual change was estimated by the survey cycle. We used the weighted sex-specific logistic regression models to analyze the prevalence of general obesity and abdominal obesity from 2001 to 2018. The weighted adjusted odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated.

Results: Our study showed that general obesity and abdominal obesity account for about 35.48 and 53.13% of the US population. From 2001-2002 to 2017-2018, the age-adjusted prevalence of general obesity increased from 33.09 to 41.36% in females and from 26.88 to 42.43% in males. During 2001-2018, the age-adjusted prevalence of abdominal obesity increased from 57.58 to 67.33% in females and from 39.07 to 49.73% in males. A significant time-dependent increase was observed in the prevalence of general obesity (adjusted OR, 1.007; 95% CI 1.005-1.009, P < 0.001) and abdominal obesity (adjusted OR, 1.006; 95% CI, 1.004-1.008; P < 0.001).

Conclusion: General obesity and abdominal obesity are a heavy health burden among US adults, and the increasing trend remains in both males and females from 2001 to 2018.

Keywords: abdominal obesity; body mass index; obesity; prevalence trend; waist circumference.