QuickStats: Prevalence of Obesity* and Severe Obesity† Among Persons Aged 2–19 Years — National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999–2000 through 2017–2018
Weekly / April 3, 2020 / 69(13);390
* Body mass index (BMI) is calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity was defined as BMI ≥95th percentile for age and sex on CDC growth charts (https://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/cdc_charts.htm).
† Severe obesity was defined as BMI ≥120% of the 95th percentile for age and sex on CDC growth charts (https://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/cdc_charts.htm).
From 1999–2000 to 2017–2018, the prevalence of obesity among persons aged 2–19 years increased from 13.9% to 19.3%, and the prevalence of severe obesity increased from 3.6% to 6.1%.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999–2000 to 2017–2018. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes.htm.
Reported by: Craig Hales, MD, CHales@cdc.gov, 301-458-4193; Cheryl D. Fryar, MSPH.
Suggested citation for this article: QuickStats: Prevalence of Obesity and Severe Obesity Among Persons Aged 2–19 Years — National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999–2000 through 2017–2018. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69:390. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6913a6.