Age-adjusted Mean Body Mass Index Research Articles

Trends in general and abdominal obesity in US adults: Evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2001-2018).

AimThis study investigates the trend in general obesity and abdominal obesity in US adults from 2001 to 2018.MethodsWe included 44,184 adults from the nine cycles of the continuous NHANES (2001–2002, 2003–2004, 2005–2006, 2007–2008, 2009–2010, 2011–2012, 2013–2014, 2015–2016, and 2017–2018). The age-adjusted mean body mass index and waist circumference were calculated, and the sex-specific annual change was estimated by the survey cycle. We used the weighted sex-specific logistic regression models to analyze the prevalence of general obesity and abdominal obesity from 2001 to 2018. The weighted adjusted odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated.ResultsOur study showed that general obesity and abdominal obesity account for about 35.48 and 53.13% of the US population. From 2001–2002 to 2017–2018, the age-adjusted prevalence of general obesity increased from 33.09 to 41.36% in females and from 26.88 to 42.43% in males. During 2001–2018, the age-adjusted prevalence of abdominal obesity increased from 57.58 to 67.33% in females and from 39.07 to 49.73% in males. A significant time-dependent increase was observed in the prevalence of general obesity (adjusted OR, 1.007; 95% CI 1.005–1.009, P < 0.001) and abdominal obesity (adjusted OR, 1.006; 95% CI, 1.004–1.008; P < 0.001).ConclusionGeneral obesity and abdominal obesity are a heavy health burden among US adults, and the increasing trend remains in both males and females from 2001 to 2018.

Weight status of rural school youth in Poland: secular change 1986-2016.

The objective of this study was to evaluate secular changes in the Body Mass Index (BMI) and weight status of rural children and adolescents in west-central Poland across decennial surveys spanning 1986 and 2016. Participants were 8,677 boys and girls 7-15 years attending schools in 10 rural communities in 1986, 1996, 2006, and 2016. Heights and weights were measured; BMIs were calculated. Weight status was classified using International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria. The sample was partitioned into three age groups (7-9, 10-12, 13-15 years) for analysis of secular change in the BMI using sex-specific analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with age and age2 as covariates, and for comparison of the prevalence of mild, moderate and severe thinness and of overweight and obesity. BMIs increased, on average, across the four surveys, but differences between adjacent surveys varied. Prevalence of severe and moderate thinness was low in both sexes, while mild thinness tended to decline over time, more so among girls. Overweight and obesity increased over time, especially in 2006 and 2016 compared to 1986 and 1996. In conclusion, secular changes in the BMI between 1986 and 2016 were significant. Age-adjusted mean BMIs suggested a gradient, 2016 > 2006 > 1996 > 1986, except in girls 13-15 years. However, changes across the decennial surveys varied. The observed changes in overweight and obesity between 1986 and 2016 were consistent with studies in Poland spanning the past two generations.

Effect of body mass index on initial presentation and outcomes after stenting for quality of life–impairing chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction

ObjectiveThe incidence of obesity has been increasing, with recent data indicating that the age-adjusted mean body mass index (BMI) is close to 30 kg/m2 in the United States. Prior studies have raised concerns for an increased incidence of chronic venous insufficiency in the obese population. We aimed to build on current knowledge by assessing the effects of BMI on the initial presentation and outcomes after intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) luminal area-guided stenting in patients presenting with quality of life (QOL)-impairing chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction (CIVO). MethodsA retrospective analysis of contemporaneously entered electronic medical record data on 464 continuous patients (464 limbs) with initial iliofemoral stents (2014-2017) for QOL-impairing CIVO was performed. The characteristics evaluated and compared included the degree of iliofemoral compression, CEAP (clinical, etiologic, anatomic, pathophysiologic) clinical class, venous clinical severity score (VCSS), grade of swelling (GOS), visual analog scale (VAS) for pain score, ulcer healing, reflux (venous segmental disease score; venous filling index-90), calf pump function (ejection fraction; residual volume fraction), and quality of life (CIVIQ-20 [chronic lower limb venous insufficiency 20-item questionnaire]) for those with a BMI <30 kg/m2 (group I) and a BMI ≥30 kg/m2 (group II). Paired and unpaired t tests were used for comparisons of the clinical variables and a Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to evaluate stent patency. ResultsOf the 464 limbs in the study cohort, 122 were in group I and 342 in group II. The median BMI was 26.3 kg/m2 (interquartile range, 19.6-29.9 kg/m2) in group I and 38.9 kg/m2 (interquartile range, 30.0-66.9 kg/m2) in group II. The IVUS luminal area–determined degree of compression was higher in group I than in group II across the common iliac, external iliac, and common femoral segments (P < .01). The supine foot venous and femoral venous pressures were higher in group II than in group I (P < .001). The ejection fraction was higher (57.4% vs 45.6%; P = .0008) and residual volume fraction was lower (27.5% vs 40.5%; P = .0008) in group II than in group I. Although the baseline VCSS and GOS were lower in group I than in group II (P < .05), no differences were found in the VAS for pain scores or ulcer prevalence. The median follow-up was 22 months. At 24 months after stenting, improvement was found in the VCSS, GOS, and VAS for pain score in both groups. The CIVIQ-20 QOL score had improved from 58.1 to 18.8 in group I (P = .0002) and from 60 to 37.5 in group II (P < .0001). At 5 years, primary patency was 70% in group I and 73% in group II (P = .6) and primary assisted patency was 100% in both groups (P = .99) without a significant difference in the reintervention rate (P = .5). ConclusionsObese patients with CIVO-impairing QOL have a lesser degree of iliofemoral venous stenosis, more severe venous hypertension, and better calf pump function than their nonobese counterparts. After stenting, no differences were found in the clinical, stent patency, or QOL-related outcomes between the two groups.

Prevalence of Overweight and Income Gaps in 245 Districts of Korea: Comparison Using the National Health Screening Database and the Community Health Survey, 2009-2014.

BackgroundWe compared age-standardized overweight prevalence and their income gaps at the level of district in Korea using the National Health Screening Database (NHSD) and the Community Health Survey (CHS).MethodsWe analyzed 39,093,653 subjects in the NHSD and 926,580 individuals in the CHS between 2009 and 2014. For the comparison of body mass index (BMI) distributions, data from 26,100 subjects in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) were also analyzed. We calculated the age-standardized overweight prevalence and its interquintile income gap at the district level. We examined the magnitudes of the between-period correlation for age-standardized overweight prevalence. The differences in overweight prevalence and its income gap between the NHSD and the CHS were also investigated.ResultsThe age-adjusted mean BMI from the CHS was lower than those from the NHSD and the KNHANES. The magnitudes of the between-period correlation for overweight prevalence were greater in the NHSD compared to the CHS. We found that the district-level overweight prevalence in the NHSD were higher in all districts of Korea than in the CHS. The correlation coefficients for income gaps in overweight prevalence between the two databases were relatively low. In addition, when using the NHSD, the district-level income inequalities in overweight were clearer especially among women than the inequalities using the CHS.ConclusionThe relatively large sample size for each district and measured anthropometric data in the NHSD are more likely to contribute to valid and reliable measurement of overweight inequality at the district level in Korea.

Changes in adiposity in an older Chinese population in rapid economic transition.

To examine the changes in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) in Guangzhou, South China, which is probably experiencing the most rapid economic transition in history. In this study, 17,786 Chinese aged 50+ years were recruited from 2003 to 2008 and followed up until 2012. BMI and WC were measured at two time points. During the mean follow-up of 3.6 years (median = 3, interquartile = 1), age-adjusted mean BMI increased only slightly. By contrast, mean WC increased sharply by 0.94 cm (95% confidence interval 0.93-0.94) annually in men and 1.29 cm (1.28-1.29) annually in women. In 77% of women and 69% of men, WC increased, and among them, the mean annual increase was 2.01 cm and 1.70 cm, respectively. Among healthy, never-smoking participants, the incidence of central obesity was 29.0% (36.4% in women and 14.2% in men). The incidence of general obesity was 1.9% and was similarly low in both men and women (2.1% vs. 1.8%). Conversely, 20.3% of individuals with general obesity became nonobese, and 12.8% of individuals with central obesity returned to normal. Central obesity has risen sharply in this cohort. Such increases may have been greatly underestimated previously and should form the basis of an even stronger warning for regions undergoing economic transitions in China and elsewhere.

Association between smoking and body mass index among males aged 20 years and above: A study in rural Tamil Nadu, South India

A large number of epidemiological studies reported an increase in mortality due to cancer and other diseases among lean individuals. In this paper we aimed to investigate the relationship between smoking status and Body Mass Index (BMI) in men aged 20 years and above. A cross sectional study was conducted in the rural field practice area of the Department of Community Medicine, PSG Institute of Medical Science and Research, Coimbatore during June and July 2010. A total of 459 men aged 20 years and above were included in the study. Statistical analyses were done using the General Linear Model procedure of SPSS. We observed that cigarette smokers weighed (Kg) less, p&lt;0.01 (age adjusted mean ± standard error= 58.64±0.44) and were leaner, p&lt;0.001 [age adjusted mean BMI (kg/m2) ± standard error=21.13±0.13] than ex/non-smokers (61.11±0.69 and 22.19± 0.2 respectively). Regarding the intensity of smoking and BMI, light smokers (1 to 20 cigarettes per day) were leaner than ex/non smokers (mean ± standard error were 21.13 ± 0.13, 22.19 ± 0.208 respectively, p&lt; 0.001). Regarding the duration of smoking and BMI, a linear diminution in BMI is observed with increasing duration of cigarettes smoking compared to ex/non smokers (mean ± standard error of BMI) for ex/non smokers 22.19±0.208, 1 to 10 years of smoking 21.56 ± 0.221(p&lt;0.05); 11 to 20 years of smoking 21.23±0.256 (p&lt;0.01); 21 to 30 years of smoking 20.30 ± 0.333 (p&lt;0.001); 30 and above years of smoking 20.07±0.501 (p&lt;0.001). In conclusion, we found significant results confirming an association between cigarette smoking and lower BMI in men. Hence we recommended that health intervention programs to quit smoking should take into account the underlying perceived benefits of smoking with body weight.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v4i1.21841 South East Asia Journal of Public Health Vol.4(1) 2014: 53-58

P2-448 Smoking and body mass index among males aged 20 years and above: A South Indian Study

IntroductionTo investigate the relationship between smoking status and Body Mass Index (BMI) in men aged 20 years and above.MethodsA cross sectional study was conducted in the rural field practice area...

Trends in obesity and abdominal obesity among adults in the United States from 1999–2008

The United States has experienced a large increase in the prevalence of obesity since the 1970s. Our objective was to describe recent trends in obesity and abdominal obesity among adults in the United States. Trend study of cross-sectional studies. We used data from up to 22,872 men and non-pregnant women aged ≥ 20 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2008. Main outcome measures are mean body mass index and waist circumference, percentages of obesity and abdominal obesity. Obesity was defined as a body mass index ≥ 30 kg m(-2), and abdominal obesity was defined as a waist circumference ≥ 102 cm in men and ≥ 88 cm in women. In men, the age-adjusted mean body mass index, mean waist circumference, and prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity were 27.8 kg m(-2), 99.1 cm, and 26.9 and 37.8%, respectively, during 1999-2000 and 28.5 kg m(-2) (P (trend) = 0.001), 100.8 cm (P (trend) = 0.002), and 32.0 (P (trend) = 0.001) and 43.7% (P (trend) = 0.002), respectively, during 2007-2008. In women, the age-adjusted mean body mass index, mean waist circumference, and prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity were 28.2 kg m(-2), 92.2 cm, and 33.2 and 55.8%, respectively, during 1999-2000 and 28.6 kg m(-2) (P (trend) = 0.181), 94.9 cm (P (trend) = 0.006), and 35.2 (P (trend) = 0.180) and 61.8% (P (trend) = 0.036), respectively, during 2007-2008. Significant linear trends for increasing prevalence of obesity were noted among men with the least and most education. Between 1999 and 2008, both obesity and abdominal obesity increased in men, and abdominal obesity increased in women.

Influence of angiotensin‐converting enzyme I/D gene polymorphism on clinical and histological correlates of chronic hepatitis C

This study aimed to verify the relationship between the insertion-deletion (I/D) polymorphism of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and clinical and histological correlates of chronic hepatitis C. Two-hundred and fifty-eight, treatment naive, unselected hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA-positive patients and 210 controls were studied. ACE allelic variants were determined by polymerase chain reaction. Mean staging scores adjusted for age, body mass index (BMI) and alcohol consumption were: men, D/* = 2.283; men, I/I = 2.092; women, D/* = 2.241; and women, I/I = 3.283 (P = 0.028). Age-adjusted mean BMI were: men, D/* = 25.01; men, I/I = 24.87; women, D/* = 23.73; and women, I/I = 22.50 (P = 0.006). Age and BMI-adjusted mean low-density lipoprotein (LDL)/ high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ratios were: men, D/* = 2.344; men, I/I = 2.283; women, D/* = 1.916; and women, I/I = 1.903 (P = 0.004). Histological grading correlated positively with triglycerides and negatively with HDL and LDL cholesterol (P < 0.0001). Female ACE I/I homozygotes have higher liver fibrosis scores in comparison to D/* women and to men; moreover, they are leaner and have a lower LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio. These observations suggest a possible mutual influence between ACE polymorphism, serum lipid concentrations and outcome of chronic HCV infection.

Trends in Obesity and Abdominal Obesity Among Hypertensive and Nonhypertensive Adults in the United States

As the prevalence of obesity has increased in the United States, it is likely that the prevalence of obesity among people with hypertension has increased as well. Because little is known about this issue, our objective was to compare secular trends in the prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity among hypertensive and nonhypertensive adults in the United States. We used data from adults aged 18-74 years who participated in National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANESs) during 1976-1980, 1988-1994, and 1999-2004. Among adults with hypertension, the age-adjusted mean body mass index increased from 27.5 kg/m2 during 1976-1980 to 31.2 kg/m2 during 1999-2004 (P < 0.001), and the age-adjusted prevalence of obesity increased from 25.7-50.8% (P < 0.001). Among adults without hypertension, mean body mass index increased from 24.2-27.1 kg/m2 (P < 0.001), and the prevalence of obesity increased from 8.4-25.1% (P < 0.001). The prevalence of obesity among women with hypertension exceeded that among men with hypertension during all three surveys (P < 0.05 for all three surveys). During 1999-2004, 56.4% (s.e. 3.4) of women with hypertension were obese compared with 46.9% (s.e. 2.1) of men. During this same time period, the prevalence of obesity was highest among Mexican-American women with hypertension (63.8%; s.e. 4.2) and lowest among African-American men with hypertension (43.8%; s.e. 2.5). Over half of people with hypertension are currently obese. The large increase in obesity among people with hypertension presents clinicians with a serious challenge in the management of hypertension.

Abstract 4205: Cardiovascular Risk Profiles Measured at the Same Age in American Immigrant Fathers and Offspring

The changes in risk profiles which occur with immigration to new cultural environments are well known. However, there have been few instances where the magnitude of these changes can be examined by measurements of cardiovascular risk factors in parents and offspring at the same age. Vital statistics indicate that Japanese-Americans in Hawaii have substantially lower CVD (cardiovascular disease) rates than are present in U.S. Caucasians, but markedly higher rates than those seen in Japanese in Japan. The Honolulu Heart Program (HHP) first measured CVD risk in first and second generation Japanese-American men in Hawaii from 1965 to 1968. From 2001 to 2004, similar measures were made in offspring from a random sample of families of these HHP men as part of the NHLBI Family Blood Pressure Program. This analysis uses data from 987 offspring (505 male and 482 female) between 39 to 77 years of age. At the time of examination, the mean age for the fathers was 53.7 years and for the offspring was 56.5 years. For some risk factors, the offspring had lower age-adjusted mean values than their fathers. The mean total cholesterol in the fathers was 218 mg/dl compared to 198.9 mg/dl in sons [p&lt;0.001] and 212 mg/dl in daughters [p&lt;0.001]. Current smoking was seen in 38% of fathers as compared to 15% of sons [p&lt;0.001] and 8% of daughters [p&lt;0.001]. However, for other risk factors, the offspring levels were higher. Hypertension (BP &lt;140/90 or on meds) was present in 39% of fathers as compared to 51% of sons [p&lt;0.001] and 43% of daughters [ns, p=0.27]. The fathers were much leaner, with an age-adjusted mean Body Mass Index (BMI) of 23.9, compared to 27.2 for sons [p&lt;0.0001] and 25.5 for daughters [p&lt;0.0001]. Although defined in slightly different ways in fathers vs. offspring, diabetes was present in 15% of fathers as compared to 24% of sons [p&lt;0.01] and 17% of daughters [ns, p=0.59]. While one must consider temporal trends as well as acculturation in making these comparisons, these data offer remarkable insight into changes in cardiovascular risk which immigrant populations face in the U.S. today.

Weight gain over 5 years in 21 966 meat-eating, fish-eating, vegetarian, and vegan men and women in EPIC-Oxford

Cross-sectional studies have shown that vegetarians and vegans are leaner than omnivores. Longitudinal data on weight gain in these groups are sparse. We investigated changes in weight and body mass index (BMI) over a 5-year period in meat-eating, fish-eating, vegetarian, and vegan men and women in the UK. Self-reported anthropometric, dietary and lifestyle data were collected at baseline in 1994-1999 and at follow-up in 2000-2003; the median duration of follow-up was 5.3 years. A total of 21,966 men and women participating in Oxford arm of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition aged 20-69 years at baseline. The mean annual weight gain was 389 (SD 884) g in men and 398 (SD 892) g in women. The differences between meat-eaters, fish-eaters, vegetarians and vegans in age-adjusted mean BMI at follow-up were similar to those seen at baseline. Multivariable-adjusted mean weight gain was somewhat smaller in vegans (284 g in men and 303 g in women, P<0.05 for both sexes) and fish-eaters (338 g, women only, P<0.001) compared with meat-eaters. Men and women who changed their diet in one or several steps in the direction meat-eater --> fish-eater --> vegetarian --> vegan showed the smallest mean annual weight gain of 242 (95% CI 133-351) and 301 (95% CI 238-365) g, respectively. During 5 years follow-up, the mean annual weight gain in a health-conscious cohort in the UK was approximately 400 g. Small differences in weight gain were observed between meat-eaters, fish-eaters, vegetarians and vegans. Lowest weight gain was seen among those who, during follow-up, had changed to a diet containing fewer animal food.

Time Trends in Obesity Among Adults with Asthma in the United States: Findings from Three National Surveys

Obesity may affect the respiratory health of people with asthma. Because the temporal trends in the prevalence of obesity among people with asthma have not been described in the United States, our objective was to describe these trends. Using data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) I (1971–1975), II (1976–1980), and III (1988–1994), the authors examined changes in the prevalence of obesity during the period covered by these surveys. The age-adjusted prevalence of current asthma was 3.5% for NHANES I, 3.1% for NHANES II, and 5.2% in NHANES III. Among people with current asthma, age-adjusted mean body mass index increased from 26.1 kg/m2 in the NHANES I to 28.0 kg/m2 in NHANES III, and the age-adjusted prevalence of obesity increased from 21.3 to 32.8%. Among people without asthma, age-adjusted mean body mass index increased from 25.4 kg/m2 in NHANES I to 26.6 kg/m2 in NHANES III, and the prevalence of obesity increased from 14.6 to 22.8%. These results show that people with asthma are far more likely to be obese than people who do not have asthma. Because excess weight may adversely affect the respiratory health of people with asthma, weight management for overweight and obese patients with asthma may be an important component in the medical care of these patients.

Diet and body mass index in 38000 EPIC-Oxford meat-eaters, fish-eaters, vegetarians and vegans.

To compare body mass index (BMI) in four diet groups (meat-eaters, fish-eaters, vegetarians and vegans) in the Oxford cohort of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC-Oxford) and to investigate lifestyle and dietary factors associated with any observed differences. Cross-sectional analysis of self-reported dietary, anthropometric and lifestyle data. A total of 37875 healthy men and women aged 20-97 y participating in EPIC-Oxford. Age-adjusted mean BMI was significantly different between the four diet groups, being highest in the meat-eaters (24.41 kg/m(2) in men, 23.52 kg/m(2) in women) and lowest in the vegans (22.49 kg/m(2) in men, 21.98 kg/m(2) in women). Fish-eaters and vegetarians had similar, intermediate mean BMI. Differences in lifestyle factors including smoking, physical activity and education level accounted for less than 5% of the difference in mean age-adjusted BMI between meat-eaters and vegans, whereas differences in macronutrient intake accounted for about half of the difference. High protein (as percent energy) and low fibre intakes were the dietary factors most strongly and consistently associated with increasing BMI both between and within the diet groups. Fish-eaters, vegetarians and especially vegans had lower BMI than meat-eaters. Differences in macronutrient intakes accounted for about half the difference in mean BMI between vegans and meat-eaters. High protein and low fibre intakes were the factors most strongly associated with increasing BMI.

Educational level, relative body weight, and changes in their association over 10 years: an international perspective from the WHO MONICA Project

This study assessed the consistency and magnitude of the association between educational level and relative body weight in populations with widely different prevalences of over-weight and investigated possible changes in the association over 10 years. Differences in age-adjusted mean body mass index (BMI) between the highest and the lowest tertiles of years of schooling were calculated for 26 populations in the initial and final surveys of the World Health Organization (WHO) MONICA (Monitoring Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease) Project. The data are derived from random population samples, including more than 42,000 men and women aged 35 to 64 years in the initial survey (1979-1989) and almost 35,000 in the final survey (1989-1996). For women, almost all populations showed a statistically significant inverse association between educational level and BMI; the difference between the highest and the lowest educational tertiles ranged from -3.3 to 0.4 kg/m2. For men, the difference ranged from -1.5 to 2.2 kg/m2. In about two thirds of the populations, the differences in BMI between the educational levels increased over the 10-year period. Lower education was associated with higher BMI in about half of the male and in almost all of the female populations, and the differences in relative body weight between educational levels increased over the study period. Thus, socioeconomic inequality in health consequences of obesity may increase in many countries.

Low body mass index in non-meat eaters: the possible roles of animal fat, dietary fibre and alcohol.

To examine the associations of diet and other lifestyle factors with body mass index (BMI) using data from the Oxford Vegetarian Study. 1914 male and 3378 female non-smokers aged 20-89 y at recruitment to the study. All subjects completed a diet/lifestyle questionnaire at recruitment giving details of their usual diet and other characteristics including height and weight, smoking and drinking habits, amount of exercise, occupation and reproductive history. Answers to the food frequency questionnaire were used to classify subjects as either meat eaters or non-meat eaters, and to estimate intakes of animal fat and dietary fibre. Subjects were further classified according to their alcohol consumption, exercise level, social class, past smoking habits and parity. Mean BMI was lower in non-meat eaters than in meat eaters in all age groups for both men and women. Overall age-adjusted mean BMIs in kg/m2 were 23.18 and 22.05 for male meat eaters and non-meat eaters respectively (P < 0.0001) and 22.32 and 21.32 for female meat eaters and non-meat eaters respectively (P < 0.0001). In addition to meat consumption, dietary fibre intake, animal fat intake, social class and past smoking were all independently associated with BMI in both men and women; alcohol consumption was independently associated with BMI in men, and parity was independently associated with BMI in women. After adjusting for these factors, the differences in mean BMI between meat eaters and non-meat eaters were reduced by 36% in men and 31% in women. Non-meat eaters are thinner than meat eaters. This may be partly due to a higher intake of dietary fibre, a lower intake of animal fat, and only in men a lower intake of alcohol.

Influence of players' physique on rugby football injuries.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether there is an association between a player's physique and injuries incurred while playing rugby football. METHODS: A cohort study was carried out involving all senior rugby...

Correlates of obesity in young black and white women: the CARDIA Study.

Although differences in obesity between Blacks and Whites are well documented in adult women, less information is available on potential correlates of these differences, especially in young adults. The association between behavioral and demographic factors and body size was assessed in 2801 Black and White women aged 18 to 30 years. Black women had significantly higher age-adjusted mean body mass index and subscapular skinfold thickness than did White women. Obesity had different associations with age and education across racial groups. A positive relationship between age and obesity was seen in Black women but not in White women, whereas a negative association between education and body size was noted only in White women. Potential contributing factors to the increased prevalence of obesity in Black women include a more sedentary lifestyle, higher energy intake, earlier menarche, and earlier age at first childbirth. The difference in obesity across race could not be explained completely by these factors, since within virtually all strata, Black women had higher body mass indexes. Further investigation is needed to develop interventional strategies to prevent or reduce excess levels of obesity in Black women.