The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index calculates Americans' Body Mass Index (BMI) scores based on respondents' self-reported height and weight. Individual BMI values of 30 or above are classified as "obese," 25 to 29.9 are "overweight," 18.5 to 24.9 are "normal weight," and 18.4 or less are "underweight." Monthly results are based on telephone interviews with approximately 30,000 national adults; Margin of error is ±1 percentage point.
The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index calculates Americans' Body Mass Index (BMI) scores, based on respondents' self-reported height and weight. Individual BMI values of 30 or above are classified as "obese," 25 to 29.9 are "overweight," 18.5 to 24.9 are "normal weight," and 18.4 or less are "underweight." Quarterly results are based on telephone interviews with approximately 90,000 national adults; Margin of error is ±1 percentage point.
For first time in three years, Americans as likely to be a normal weight as overweight
January 10, 2012
The percentage of American adults who are obese declined slightly in 2011 to 26.1%, from 26.6% in 2010, but this percentage is still higher than it was in 2008. Blacks, low-income Americans, and those who are middle aged remain the most likely to be obese.
Those reporting diabetes diagnosis are less likely to report frequent exercise
December 28, 2011
Britons who report having ever been diagnosed with diabetes are more likely than those who do not have diabetes to report having been diagnosed with other chronic health conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, and heart attack.
The percentage of American adults reporting having ever been diagnosed with diabetes has leveled off in 2011, after increasing in 2009 and 2010, mirroring the recent trend in the nation's obesity rate.
Dietary changes dominate, but exercise also a key factor for many
November 28, 2011
More than 6 in 10 U.S. adults say they have tried to lose weight at some point in their lives and most of these -- representing 52% of all Americans -- say they succeeded at least once. When asked how, more mention dietary changes than exercise, but many reference both.
American men, on average, say they weigh 196 pounds and women say they weigh 160 pounds. Both figures are nearly 20 pounds higher than the average that men and women reported in 1990. As Americans' actual weight has increased, so has their ideal weight.
Obese Germans more than six times as likely as normal weight and underweight to have diabetes
October 27, 2011
Half of German adults are obese (13.7%) and overweight (36.4%), similar to the percentage in the U.K., but significantly less than the percentage in the U.S. Obese Germans are more than six times as likely as those who are normal weight and underweight to have diabetes.
However, the majority of Americans are still either overweight or obese
October 7, 2011
The percentage of Americans who are overweight or obese declined slightly in the third quarter of 2011, while the percentage who are a normal weight increased. For the first time in more than three years, more Americans are a normal weight (36.6%) than are overweight (35.8%).
