These results are consistent with our previous report
on the prevalence of overweight in the US1 and show
a marked increase in the prevalence of overweight and
obesity (BMI ^ 25.0) in the US population that
occurred primarily between NHANES II (1976±
1980) and NHANES III (1988±1994). The increase
in prevalence was almost entirely due to increases in
the prevalence of obesity (BMI ^ 30.0). The prevalence
of pre-obesity (BMI 25.0±29.9) showed little or
no change