Secular Changes in Stature, Weight, Fatness, Overweight, and Obesity in Urban African American Adolescents from the Mid-1950's to the Mid-1990's

Abstract

The prevalence of obesity among American children and adults has increased over the past few decades. This paper reports secular changes in stature, weight, and fatness in three groups of urban African American adolescents between 11 and 15 years of age of comparable socio-economic status, ethnic background, and region measured in the 1960's, 1970's, and 1990's. Adolescents measured in the 1990's were heavier and only somewhat taller than those measured in the 1960's and 1970's and significantly fatter than those measured in the 1970's. Adolescents measured in the 1990's were taller at younger ages (11-12 years) and markedly heavier, at all ages, than the NHANES I reference (Center For Disease Control, 1990). A threefold increase in males and a fourfold increase in females in the prevalence of obesity, defined by a BMI and triceps skinfold above the NHANES I 95th percentile occurred among these adolescents in the last two decades. Using the BMI only, the prevalence of overweight (1990's) was 17.6% based on the 95th percentile and 34.9% based on the 85th percentile of NHANES I (Must et al., 1991). These prevalence estimates exceed those derived from the first phase of NHANES III, 10.9% based on the 95th percentile and 22% based on the 85th percentile (NHES II and III) (Troiano, 1995). The alarming increase in overweight and obesity prevalence in this urban African American sample indicates that secular changes in adiposity are greater for certain subgroups of the U.S. population and that these groups may be at increased risk for future health problems. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.