Geographical variation in the prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome among US adolescents.
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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Among adolescents, obesity and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) contribute to adult cardiovascular disease risk. By parent report, obesity prevalence in the USA was highest in the South. OBJECTIVES:The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of obesity and MetS by US division and region. METHODS:We used in-person assessment of 4600 US adolescents age 12-19 years participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2014. RESULTS:Prevalence of obesity was highest in the East North Central division (21.3%) and the three census divisions in the South (all >20%), compared with lower prevalence in the Mountain and New England divisions (both <15%). MetS was most prevalent in the two divisions in the Midwest (both >10%) and lowest in the Mountain and New England divisions (both <6%). For the amount of obesity in each division, there was a higher prevalence of MetS in the West North Central division (obesity 17.1%, MetS 13.6%) and lower prevalence in the East South Central (obesity 23.5%, MetS 6.6%) and South Atlantic divisions (obesity 20.4%, MetS 6.7%). CONCLUSIONS:The degree of obesity-related and MetS-related risk among adolescents in the Midwest is higher than suggested from previous parent-reported weight data. The Midwest and South may warrant particularly strong cardiovascular disease prevention efforts.
SUBMITTER: DeBoer MD
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6513350 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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