Physical Activity and Nutrition

What Everyone Should Know

Obesity

Over the past 20 years, obesity levels have doubled in the United States: obesity among children ages 6 to 11 increased from 7% in 1980 to 16% in 2002; among adults, obesity increased from 12% in 1991 to 23% in 2004.

In New York City, obesity is epidemic: more than half of adult New Yorkers are overweight (34%) or obese (22%). Data show that obesity begins early in life: nearly half of all elementary school children and Head Start children are not a healthy weight. In New York City, 1 in 5 kindergarten students, and 1 in 4 Head Start children, is obese.

People (adults and children) who are overweight are at increased risk for diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, arthritis, and cancer.

Fortunately, obesity is preventable and as obesity rates decrease, so will chronic disease and associated mortality. Even modest weight loss of 5%-7% (about 10 pounds) can improve health and decrease disease risk.

Increases in obesity affect all population groups regardless of age, income, gender, race, or ethnicity, although not all groups face an equal risk. Obesity increases with age, and is more common among older adults, women, African-Americans, Hispanics, and the poor.

In addition to poorer individual eating habits, environmental factors have created conditions that strongly favor overweight and obesity. Food is now readily available, particularly highly processed foods that are high in fat and sugar. Simultaneously, technological innovation has engineered physical activity out of our lives and daily tasks.

New York City neighborhoods that report lower physical activity levels and less fruit and vegetable consumption have higher obesity rates. Much of the Physical Activity and Nutrition Program’s work to improve health outcomes targets those communities most affected by health disparities.

For more information on the Physical Activity and Nutrition (PAN) Program’s strategies for addressing the obesity epidemic and health disparities in obesity’s contributing risk factors, click on Programs and Services.

Are You Overweight?

The Body Mass Index (BMI) uses height and weight to determine if you're overweight. Adults should try to keep their BMI under 25 and definitely below 30. Use the BMI chart as your guide.

Among children, obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) > 95th percentile for age and gender; overweight is defined as BMI > 85th and < 95th percentile for age and gender. To learn more about how obesity is defined in children, visit: www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/.

BMI is intended only to serve as a screening tool. Health care professionals should determine a healthy weight range for each child and adult.