Adult Overweight and Obesity in North Carolina

Overview

North Carolina percentages for adult obesity have nearly doubled since 1990, and the state's rates for overweight, obesity and related health problems, such as heart disease and stroke, are some of the highest in the nation, often exceeding national averages.

Statistics

• North Carolina rates of obesity and some chronic diseases are higher than national averages. For example, according to 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) results, the prevalence rate for diabetes was 8.5 percent in North Carolina vs. 7.0 percent nationwide.
• According to the 2005 BRFSS survey:
• Nearly thirty-seven percent of N.C. adults are overweight compared to 38.5 percent nationwide.
• More than twenty-five percent of adults are obese in North Carolina compared to 24.4 percent nationwide.
• Obesity rates have more than doubled since 1990, when the rate was 12.9 percent (24.4 percent in 2005.

Data Source -
http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/brfss/page.asp?cat=OB&yr=2005&state=NC#OB
http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/brfss/index.asp

Definitions

• Overweight refers to excess body weight relative to height, when compared to healthy weight standards. 
• Obesity is defined as having an excessively high amount of body fat in relation to lean body mass. 
• Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number that reflects body weight adjusted for height.  For adults 20 years of age or older, BMI falls into one of the following four categories: underweight, normal, overweight and obese.
• Adults with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 are considered overweight.
• Adults with a BMI of 30 or more are considered obese.

BMI Calculator

An online BMI calculator for adults is available online.

Effects

Health Consequences

• Overweight and obesity reduce an individual's quality of life and daily productivity.

• Overweight and obese individuals are more likely to suffer from chronic diseases including high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, osteoarthritis, asthma, heart disease, stroke and some types of cancer.
• Heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death and disability in North Carolina.

Economic Consequences

• Researchers estimate that overweight and obesity cost North Carolina taxpayers $2.14 billion in direct medical expenses.
• $1.1 billion of this total is financed by Medicaid and Medicare, $662 million and $448 million respectively.

For more information, please visit
www.EatSmartMoveMoreNC.com

Sheree Thaxton Vodicka
(919) 707-5217
sheree.vodicka@ncmail.net