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Complete Health Indicator Report of Obesity Among Adults

Definition

Percentage of respondents who have a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30.0 kg/m2 calculated from self-reported weight and height. BMI is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by the square of height in meters.

Numerator

Number of respondents who have a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30.0 kg/m2 calculated from self-reported weight and height.

Denominator

Number of adult respondents for whom BMI can be calculated from their self-reported weight and height (excludes unknowns or refusals for weight and height).

Data Interpretation Issues

Data from the New Jersey Behavioral Risk Factor Survey are intended to represent non-institutionalized adults in households with telephones. Data are collected using a random sample of all possible telephone numbers. Prior to analysis, data are weighted to represent the population distribution of adults by age, sex, and "race"/ethnicity. As with all surveys, however, some residual bias may result from nonresponse (e.g., refusal to participate in the survey or to answer specific questions) and measurement error (e.g., social desirability or recall). Attempts are made to minimize such error by use of a strict calling protocol (up to 15 calls are made to reach each household), good questionnaire design, standardization of interviewer behavior, interviewer training, and frequent, on-site interviewer monitoring and supervision. Starting in 2011, BRFSS protocol requires that the NJBRFS incorporate a fixed quota of interviews from cell phone respondents along with a new weighting methodology called iterative proportional fitting or "raking". The new weighting methodology incorporates additional demographic information (such as education, race, and marital status) in the weighting process. These methodological changes were implemented to account for the underrepresentation of certain demographic groups in the land line sample (which resulted in part from the increasing number of U.S. households without land line phones). Comparisons between 2011 and prior years should therefore be made with caution. (More details about these changes can be found at [http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6122a3.htm].)

Why Is This Important?

Adults who are obese are at increased risk of morbidity from hypertension, high LDL cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, and osteoarthritis.

Healthy People Objective: Reduce the proportion of adults who are obese

U.S. Target: 30.6 percent (age-adjusted)
State Target: 23.8 percent (age-adjusted)

Other Objectives

'''Healthy New Jersey 2020 Objective NF-1a''': Prevent an increase in the proportion of the adult population aged 20 years and older that is obese. Targets are 23.8% for the total population, 22.4% among Whites, 32.5% among Blacks, 28.0% among Hispanics, and 11.0% among Asians.

How Are We Doing?

The age-adjusted prevalence of obese New Jersey adults increased from 23.8% in 2011 to 28.6% in 2020.

How Do We Compare With the U.S.?

The age-adjusted prevalence of obesity among New Jersey adults is slightly lower than in the U.S. as a whole. In 2020, the obesity prevalence rate among New Jersey adults was 28.6% compared to 32.2% for U.S. adults.

What Is Being Done?

The New Jersey Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (NPAO) Program within the NJDOH Office of Nutrition and Fitness coordinates efforts to work with communities to develop, implement, and evaluate interventions that address behaviors related to increasing physical activity, breastfeeding initiation and duration, and the consumption of fruits and vegetables, and to decreasing the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and high-energy-dense foods, and to decrease television viewing.


Related Indicators

Relevant Population Characteristics

Population-based obesity-prevention services may be useful in containing the obesity epidemic. The magnitude of the association appears to be strong among low-income population and among women.^1^ 1. Chen Z, Roy K., Gotway Crawford CA. Obesity Prevention: The Impact of Local Health Departments. Health Services Research. 2013, 48(2):603-627. Note: [https://www-doh.state.nj.us/doh-shad/query/builder/njbrfs/BMIObese/BMIObeseAA11_.html Custom data views] of the prevalence of obesity among New Jersey adults by selected sociodemographic and other characteristics (including '''local health jurisdiction''') can be generated using the New Jersey Behavioral Risk Factor Survey interactive query module.

Health Care System Factors

Since September 2018, the USPSTF^1^ has recommended that clinicians offer or refer adults with a body mass index of 30 or higher (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) to intensive, multicomponent '''behavioral interventions'''. 1. United States Preventive Services Task Force. [https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/Document/UpdateSummaryFinal/obesity-in-adults-interventions1 Weight Loss to Prevent Obesity-Related Morbidity and Mortality in Adults: Behavioral Interventions]. [last accessed: 1/29/20]

Risk Factors

'''Genetic''' or '''familial''' factors may increase the risk for being overweight or obese for some people, but anyone whose '''calorie intake''' exceeds the number of calories they burn is at risk. '''Physical activity''' and a '''healthy diet''' are both important for obtaining and maintaining a healthy weight. Note: [https://www-doh.state.nj.us/doh-shad/query/builder/njbrfs/BMIObese/BMIObeseAA11_.html Custom data views] of the prevalence of obesity among New Jersey adults by selected '''sociodemographic and other characteristics''' (including '''physical activity)''' can be generated using the New Jersey Behavioral Risk Factor Survey interactive query module.

Related Risk Factors Indicators:


Health Status Outcomes

According to the CDC^1^, the health consequences of overweight and obesity among adults include '''high blood pressure (hypertension)'''; '''high LDL cholesterol''', '''low HDL cholesterol''', or '''high levels of triglycerides (dyslipidemia)'''; '''Type 2 diabetes'''; '''coronary heart disease'''; '''stroke'''; '''gallbladder disease'''; '''osteoarthritis'''; '''sleep apnea and breathing problems'''; '''some cancers''' ('''endometrial''', '''breast''', '''colon''', '''kidney''', '''gallbladder''', and '''liver'''); '''low quality of life''', '''mental illness''' (including '''clinical depression''', '''anxiety''', and other mental disorders); '''body pain'''; and difficulty with '''physical functioning'''. Note: Custom data views of the estimated prevalence of [https://www-doh.state.nj.us/doh-shad/query/builder/njbrfs/DXBPHigh/DXBPHighAA11_.html high blood pressure (hypertension)], [https://www-doh.state.nj.us/doh-shad/query/builder/njbrfs/DXDiabetes/DXDiabetesAA11_.html diabetes], [https://www-doh.state.nj.us/doh-shad/query/builder/njbrfs/DXCVD_CHD/DXCVD_CHDAA11_.html coronary heart disease], [https://www-doh.state.nj.us/doh-shad/query/builder/njbrfs/DXCVDStroke/DXCVDStrokeAA11_.html stroke], [https://www-doh.state.nj.us/doh-shad/query/builder/njbrfs/DXArthritis/DXArthritisAA11_.html arthritis], [https://www-doh.state.nj.us/doh-shad/query/builder/njbrfs/DXDepress/DXDepressCrude11_.html clinical depression], and [https://www-doh.state.nj.us/doh-shad/query/builder/njbrfs/PhysHlth14/PhysHlth14AA11_.html difficulty with physical functioning] among New Jersey adults by selected '''sociodemographic and other characteristics''' can be generated using the New Jersey Behavioral Risk Factor Survey interactive query module. 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/effects/index.html The Health Effects of Overweight and Obesity] [last reviewed: 1/27/20]

Related Health Status Outcomes Indicators:



Data Tables


Percentage of Adults Aged 20+ Who Are Obese, New Jersey and U.S., 2011-2020

YearUS/NJEstimated Percent (Age-adjusted)Lower LimitUpper Limit
Record Count: 19
2011US27.927.728.2
2011NJ23.822.724.9
2012US28.227.928.5
2012NJ24.723.725.8
2013US28.728.529.0
2013NJ26.825.528.0
2014US29.429.129.7
2014NJ26.925.728.2
2015US29.329.029.6
2015NJ25.824.427.2
2016US30.029.830.4
2016NJ27.025.228.8
2017US30.630.230.9
2017NJ27.726.029.4
2018US31.130.831.4
2018NJ26.223.629.0
2019NJ**
2020US32.231.832.5
2020NJ28.627.329.9

Data Notes

All prevalence estimates are age-adjusted to the U.S. 2000 standard population (except for estimates by age group). Respondents tend to overestimate their height and underestimate their weight leading to underestimation of BMI and the prevalence of obesity.   **No data available for 2019. Prevalence estimates for 2011 and forward are consistent with those used to track the corresponding Healthy New Jersey 2020 objective (NF-1a) and are for adults aged 20 and over.

Data Source

Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, Center for Health Statistics, New Jersey Department of Health, [http://www.state.nj.us/health/chs/njbrfs/]


Percentage of Adults Aged 18+ Who Are Obese, New Jersey and U.S., 2001-2010

YearUS/NJEstimated Percent (Age-adjusted)Lower LimitUpper Limit
Record Count: 20
2001US21.6%21.3%21.9%
2001NJ19.6%18.3%21.1%
2002US21.8%21.4%22.1%
2002NJ19.0%17.0%21.2%
2003US22.7%22.4%23.0%
2003NJ20.1%19.2%21.0%
2004US23.4%23.1%23.7%
2004NJ21.9%21.0%22.9%
2005US24.4%24.1%24.7%
2005NJ22.1%21.1%23.1%
2006US25.0%24.6%25.3%
2006NJ22.6%21.6%23.6%
2007US25.9%25.6%26.2%
2007NJ24.1%22.6%25.7%
2008US25.5%26.2%26.8%
2008NJ23.6%22.4%24.8%
2009US27.1%26.8%27.4%
2009NJ23.9%22.8%25.1%
2010US27.4%27.1%27.7%
2010NJ24.0%22.8%25.3%

Data Notes

All prevalence estimates are age-adjusted to the U.S. 2000 standard population (except for estimates by age group). Respondents tend to overestimate their height and underestimate their weight leading to underestimation of BMI and the prevalence of obesity.   Prevalence estimates for 2001-2010 are consistent with those used to track the corresponding Healthy New Jersey 2010 objective (3D-3) and are for adults aged 18 and over.

Data Source

Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, Center for Health Statistics, New Jersey Department of Health, [http://www.state.nj.us/health/chs/njbrfs/]


Percentage of Adults Aged 20+ Who are Obese by Race/Ethnicity, New Jersey, 2011-2020

YearRace/EthnicityEstimated Percent (Age-adjusted)Lower LimitUpper Limit
Record Count: 40
2011White22.421.123.8
2011Black32.529.435.9
2011Hispanic28.024.931.4
2011Asian11.07.415.9
2012White23.722.325.1
2012Black37.434.140.9
2012Hispanic27.324.330.5
2012Asian7.35.210.3
2013White26.124.527.8
2013Black36.633.040.3
2013Hispanic30.226.833.8
2013Asian9.66.414.1
2014White25.523.827.2
2014Black38.234.641.9
2014Hispanic31.227.734.8
2014Asian7.85.211.7
2015White24.022.325.7
2015Black38.133.842.5
2015Hispanic26.923.230.9
2015Asian11.27.416.8
2016White25.322.927.9
2016Black37.632.543.1
2016Hispanic37.032.641.6
2016Asian9.25.515.0
2017White27.024.829.3
2017Black37.633.142.3
2017Hispanic33.228.638.0
2017Asian10.46.915.4
2018White25.622.329.2
2018Black33.426.341.3
2018Hispanic26.420.832.8
2018Asian11.96.421.3
2019White**
2019Black**
2019Hispanic**
2019Asian**
2020White25.523.927.2
2020Black39.936.043.8
2020Hispanic36.132.639.6
2020Asian11.48.016.1

Data Notes

All prevalence estimates are age-adjusted to the U.S. 2000 standard population (except for estimates by age group). Respondents tend to overestimate their height and underestimate their weight leading to underestimation of BMI and the prevalence of obesity.   **No data available for 2019. This is Healthy New Jersey 2020 (HNJ2020) Objective NF-1a.

Data Source

Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, Center for Health Statistics, New Jersey Department of Health, [http://www.state.nj.us/health/chs/njbrfs/]


Percentage of Adults Aged 18+ Who are Obese by Gender and Age Group, New Jersey, 2017-2020*

Age GroupSexEstimated PercentLower LimitUpper Limit
Record Count: 8
18-34Male20.518.023.2
18-34Female20.818.123.9
35-49Male34.631.637.7
35-49Female28.926.231.8
50-64Male33.931.636.3
50-64Female28.226.230.4
65+Male26.524.428.7
65+Female26.224.128.4

Data Notes

All prevalence estimates are age-adjusted to the U.S. 2000 standard population (except for estimates by age group). Respondents tend to overestimate their height and underestimate their weight leading to underestimation of BMI and the prevalence of obesity.   *2019 data is not included in the average estimated prevalence. No data is available for 2019.


Percentage of Adults Aged 25+ Who are Obese by Education Level, New Jersey, 2017-2020*

Education LevelEstimated PercentLower LimitUpper Limit
Record Count: 4
Less than high school36.832.940.9
High school or G.E.D35.433.337.4
Some college or tech school31.930.033.9
College graduate or higher20.819.722.0

Data Notes

All prevalence estimates are age-adjusted to the U.S. 2000 standard population (except for estimates by age group). Respondents tend to overestimate their height and underestimate their weight leading to underestimation of BMI and the prevalence of obesity.   *2019 data is not included in the average estimated prevalence. No data is available for 2019.

Data Source

Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, Center for Health Statistics, New Jersey Department of Health, [http://www.state.nj.us/health/chs/njbrfs/]


Percentage of Adults Aged 20+ Who are Obese by County, New Jersey, 2017-2020*

CountyEstimated Percent (Age-adjusted)Lower LimitUpper Limit
Record Count: 22
Atlantic29.925.634.6
Bergen20.217.223.5
Burlington30.526.334.9
Camden33.229.037.6
Cape May28.122.834.1
Cumberland35.129.840.9
Essex31.428.334.7
Gloucester36.431.441.6
Hudson28.825.033.0
Hunterdon21.716.827.6
Mercer29.625.434.3
Middlesex28.424.732.4
Monmouth23.519.927.6
Morris20.416.525.0
Ocean30.727.034.6
Passaic28.224.032.8
Salem49.541.657.4
Somerset24.819.930.5
Sussex25.120.630.2
Union27.023.530.8
Warren30.724.637.6
New Jersey27.926.928.9

Data Notes

All prevalence estimates are age-adjusted to the U.S. 2000 standard population (except for estimates by age group). Respondents tend to overestimate their height and underestimate their weight leading to underestimation of BMI and the prevalence of obesity.   *2019 data is not included in the average estimated prevalence. No data is available for 2019.

Data Source

Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, Center for Health Statistics, New Jersey Department of Health, [http://www.state.nj.us/health/chs/njbrfs/]

References and Community Resources

NJDOH Office of Nutrition and Fitness: [https://nj.gov/health/nutrition/]

Page Content Updated On 10/27/2022, Published on 10/27/2022
The information provided above is from the Department of Health's NJSHAD web site (https://nj.gov/health/shad). The information published on this website may be reproduced without permission. Please use the following citation: " Retrieved Fri, 29 March 2024 3:52:00 from Department of Health, New Jersey State Health Assessment Data Web site: https://nj.gov/health/shad ".

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