Descriptive Epidemiology of Obesity Trends

Abstract This chapter describes population obesity trends from descriptive epidemiologic studies. Topics covered include obesity trends in U.S. adults, obesity trends in U.S. children, and international obesity trends. There is clear evidence that obesity has reached epidemic proportions in many parts of the world and is increasing rapidly in developing countries. In many populations, the entire distribution of BMI values has shifted to the right, indicating a dramatic increase in morbid obesity.