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Trends in prevalence of obesity and overweight among Illinois adults from 1995 to 2002: Implications for healthy people 2010 objectives

Seema Gai, MBBS, Ramnarayan Paragi Gururaja, MBBS, and Remi Lina Imeokparia, MD, PhD. Public Health Department, University of Illinois at Springfield, One University Plaza, Springfield, IL 62703, 217-206-1192, sgai001s@uis.edu

The Illinois Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System [IBRFSS] is an ongoing population-based telephone survey. The 1995-2002 IBRFSS data [n=27,474] weighted by split sample and dual questionnaire, was used to examine trends among Illinois obese & overweight [OBOW] adults, aged 18+, by predisposing variables: age, gender, race, and income; and by enabling factors: fruit and vegetable servings per day [FVSD], diabetic status, health insurance status, physical activity [PA], and perception of health.

In these data, majority were White [81%], female [52%], aged 25 to 64 years [70%], earned >$50,000 [40%], participated in PA [72%], had health insurance [90%], and perceived excellent health [57%].

From 1995 to 2002, prevalence rates for OBOW adults increased; obesity rates increased by 23%, while overweight rates increased by 6%. This significant 8-year increasing trend in obesity was more evident among those who ate <=5 FVSD versus >5 FVSD. The rate increased by 46% among those who ate <=5 FVSD; no increase was found among those who ate >5 FVSD. Those who ate >5 FVSD were less likely to be obese, adjusted OR=0.73 [95% C.I=0.61, 0.87] compared to underweight/normal adults. By 2002, those who ate <=5 FVSD were five times more likely to be obese [19%] and 3.5 times more likely to be overweight [29%], compared to those who ate >5 FVSD.

A lower proportion of obese adults [17%] than overweight adults [37%] earned >$50,000, and were twice more likely than overweight adults to be diagnosed with diabetes. The implications for HP2010 of significant differences, by these factors, among Illinois OBOW adults will be discussed.

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