Posted on 10/27/2004 1:01:30 PM PDT by Between the Lines
Adult men and women are roughly an inch taller than they were in 1960, but are nearly 25 pounds heavier on average as well, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition, average BMI (body mass index, a weight-for-height formula used to measure obesity) has increased among adults from approximately 25 in 1960 to 28 in 2002.
The report, Mean Body Weight, Height, and Body Mass Index (BMI) 1960-2002: United States, prepared by CDC's National Center for Health Statistics, shows that the average height of a man aged 20-74 years increased from just over 5'8" in 1960 to 5'9½" in 2002, while the average height of a woman the same age increased from slightly over 5'3" 1960 to 5'4" in 2002.
Meanwhile, the average weight for men aged 20-74 years rose dramatically from 166.3 pounds in 1960 to 191 pounds in 2002, while the average weight for women the same age increased from 140.2 pounds in 1960 to 164.3 pounds in 2002.
Though the average weight for men aged 20-39 years increased by nearly 20 pounds over the last four decades, the increase was greater among older men: Men between the ages of 40 and 49 were nearly 27 pounds heavier on average in 2002 compared to 1960. Men between the ages of 50 and 59 were nearly 28 pounds heavier on average in 2002 compared to 1960. Men between the ages of 60 and 74 were almost 33 pounds heavier on average in 2002 compared to 1960.
For women, the near opposite trend occurred: Women aged 20-29 were nearly 29 pounds heavier on average in 2002 compared to 1960. Women aged 40-49 were about 25½ pounds heavier on average in 2002 compared to 1960. Women aged 60-74 were about 17½ pounds heavier on average in 2002 compared to 1960.
Meanwhile, the report documented that average weights for children are increasing as well: The average weight for a 10 year-old-boy in 1963 was 74.2 pounds; by 2002 the average weight was nearly 85 pounds. The average weight for a 10-year-old girl in 1963 was 77.4 pounds; by 2002 the average weight was nearly 88 pounds. A 15-year-old boy weighed 135.5 pounds on average in 1966; by 2002 the average weight of a boy that age increased to 150.3 pounds. A 15-year-old girl weighed 124.2 pounds on average in 1966; by 2002 the average weight for a girl that age was 134.4 pounds.
According to the report, average heights for children increased as well over the past four decades. For example: The average height of a 10-year-old boy in 1963 was 55.2 inches; by 2002 the average height of a 10-year-old boy had increased to 55.7 inches. The average height of a 10-year-old girl in 1963 was about 55.5 inches; by 2002 the average height of a 10-year-old girl had increased to 56.4 inches. In 1966, the average height of a 15-year-old boy was 67.5 inches or almost 5'7½"; by 2002 the average height of a 15-year-old boy was 68.4 or almost 5'8½". In 1996, the average height of a 15-year-old girl was 63.9 inches; by 2002 the average height of a 15-year-old girl had not changed significantly (63.8 inches).
Average BMI for children and teens has increased as well: In 1963, the average BMI for a 7-year-old boy was 15.9; in 2002 it was 17.0. For girls the same age, the average BMI increased from 15.8 to 16.6 over the same period. In 1966, the average BMI for a 16-year-old boy was 21.3; in 2002, it was 24.1. For girls the same age, the average BMI increased from 21.9 to 24.0 over the same period.
The BMI is a single number that evaluates an individual's weight status in relation to height. BMI is generally used as the first indicator in assessing body fat and has been the most common method of tracking weight problems and obesity among adults.
The data in the report was based on actual body measurements taken as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which CDC's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has conducted periodically since 1960. The NCHS report, Mean Body Weight, Height, and Body Mass Index (BMI) 1960-2002: United States is available on-line at www.cdc.gov/nchs.
I'm A LOT TALLER AND HEAVIER than I was 40 years ago!.....
Well, DUH. 40 years ago, a lot of them hadn't even been born.
michael moore accounts for a good deal of that extra weight
Well, let's see. Forty years ago I was 11 years old. I was about 5' 4" and about 100 pounds. Now I'm 6' 2" and about 275 lbs (trying to get to about 255 lbs). So I'd have to say that I fit the profile.
Taller and heavier - do you mean just plain bigger?
Well, I'm a lot taller and heavier than I was 40 years ago. Especially since I wasn't even born yet.
Dang, I'm slow. But I swear I was typing, not reading your post.
40 years ago I was 11. This is Bush's fault.
Ditto. By ~4 feet and 180 pounds.
It's all Bush's fault.
Every generation gets bigger. I'm 5'10 (female) and about average height for my family. My mom has chairs from our Connecticut ancestors (circa 1700 or so) that are so small that we feel like we're in the circus when we sit on them.
We are too fat, as a nation, but the height will only increase as long as the nutrition holds out - I wonder if it will hit a genetic wall some day?
LQ
Let the FORCE guide your fingers........
Every generation gets bigger. I'm 5'10 (female) and about average height for my family. My mom has chairs from our Connecticut ancestors (circa 1700 or so) that are so small that we feel like we're in the circus when we sit on them.
We are too fat, as a nation, but the height will only increase as long as the nutrition holds out - I wonder if it will hit a genetic wall some day?
LQ
I'm a bit shorter and a lot heavier than 40 years ago.
I was at a family reunion last monts and someone passed around a 30 year old group picture. My kids asked about the two young, thin people in the middle. It was their parents.
No $#!+!! I was 12 yrs old and probably weighed 100 lbs.
Could this be adding to soaring health care costs in America? Heart disease, diabetes, arthiritis, etc. show up when you're packing around the lbs. Now that I think of it, the Edwards' are killing us, ambulance chaser and fat wife, all in one family!
I'm a lot taller and heavier than I was 40 years ago, too... considering 40 years ago I was merely a gleam in my father's eye, but that's not the point I guess...
The problem is that with the BMI anyone who has a lot of muscle mass is considered morbidly obese. I am 6'1 and 215 pds and have lifted most of my life, according to the BMI I am morbidly obese even for a large frame person. I will agree that I see many people that need to get off the couch and at least do some yard work though.
I'm 6"1" and 165lbs. I still fit in my Army uniform I last officioally wore in 1985. What's weird is my uncle is almost eighty and still fits into the uniform he wore in WWII. He's always been about the same weight. I put on 15 pounds when I stopped smoking.
Could this be adding to soaring health care costs in America? Heart disease, diabetes, arthiritis, etc. show up when you're packing around the lbs. Now that I think of it, the Edwards' are killing us, ambulance chaser and fat wife, all in one family!
You beat me too it.
Many Latinos and Asians have moved to the US since and they tend to be shorter in stature than Anglos.
I would think the average American adjusted for 1960 demographics is more than two inches taller.
Although I can't remember what I weighed when I was two years old, there is no doubt in my mind that I am heavier now than then.
Wow!
I can hardly wait until 2044 when I'll be another inch taller!
I am 46" taller and 197lbs. heavier than I was in 1960. I guess I must be an outlier.
LOL Me too!
You think there might be a more than a coincidence there? LOL
2 words: Michael Moore!
Hey, I'm shorter and heavier than I was 40 years ago! [but I'm twice as old] (-;}
They also changed the "obesity" charts a few years ago. I went from being normal for my height to being overweight. That is according to the charts not my actual weight. One weight lose program says I need to lose another 13 pounds. My doctor says he doesn't consider me overweight. I wonder how many folks like me are in these statistics.
I never really read labels until I joined Weightwatchers. I was appalled at how much sugar and fat is in seemingly healthy foods, such as some whole-wheat breads, processed dinner mixes (Hamburger Helper, for example) and some restaurant foods.
I have lost 22 pounds since April by eating healthy and increasing my activity level. I feel great!
If I had anything to offer people, I would tell them to cut sugar, lower fat, and get out and walk! Cooking from scratch is a help too!
They also changed the "obesity" charts a few years ago. I went from being normal for my height to being overweight. That is according to the charts not my actual weight. One weight lose program says I need to lose another 13 pounds. My doctor says he doesn't consider me overweight. I wonder how many folks like me are in these statistics.
Love Weightwatchers. Hubby was ready the sugar content in his coke can the other day. He was shocked at the 28 grams. Then I told him to see how many servings were in the can! 2.5. Then he was really shocked!
ready = reading
Dang. Does this mean those "all the bacon, beef, cheese and eggs you want" diets aren't working?
Quote: Any visit to the local grocery store will display the weight problems of the American people.
..or any mall, fair, cruise, street, convention. A friend of the family lived in Japan for 15 years and came back to the US and could not believe how much bigger the average person is. The amount of 3-10 year olds that you see that are just plain fat is horrendous today.
What kind of Coke is your husband drinking?
The one on my desk has 39 grams of sugar in 12 ounces. Serving Size: 1 can
(Admittedly not good.)
I am with ya! I seem to be going the same direction the older I get!
Thank God I can still work the channel changer.
I can't remember. We were on a road trip. It might have even been one of those plastic ones with the twist on cap. That might explain the extra servings. Either way, he wasn't taking the number of servings into account when he read the label. That is what I was pointing out to him. People might read a label and if they don't notice the serving size they aren't reading the label correctly.
Congratulations! That is great!
I still think that many of what we (the US) calls problems can be traced back to television. The list would include things like asthma, weight, crime (not knowing our neighbors), people not going to church, terrorism (they like the attention), liberals, teenage pregnancy, drugs, etc... While TV isn't the primary cause of these ills, it certainly contributes to many of these and probably a lot more than I have listed.
When I looked at the new BMI charts, I found that while I was still in fine shape, I was now 4" taller!
Yeah, we see them in our Scout Troop. Some 11-year-old kid shows up who's about 5' 1" and about 150 pounds. He isn't exactly ready for a 5 mile hike!
I agree that dieting is the major reason for obesity. The obesity rate has gone up simultaneously with the diet industry -- no coincidence there.
In my opinion, and based on my own experience, when we make a list of rules of what to eat and what not to eat, that list of rules becomes a diet; and that feeling of deprivation, which always comes from dieting, results in the desire to binge. Thus dieting of any kind, I believe, is the major cause of obesity.
quote:Yeah, we see them in our Scout Troop. Some 11-year-old kid shows up who's about 5' 1" and about 150 pounds. He isn't exactly ready for a 5 mile hike!
...or helping pull a fully loaded down sledd all day during a Klondike Derby in 25 degree snowy weather. I'm proud to say I pulled many a heavy sledd in Scouts during my day.
Exactly my point, these charts basically want you to look like an Ethiopian. My Dr. tells me that I am in perfect health, even though I am obese according to the charts.
1. In a largely unreported companion release, the Centers for Disease Control extrapolated that, based on their previously released figures, by the year 5000 the average American male will be 12 feet tall and weigh 2000 pounds.
2. Janet Reno was, once again, ahead of her time...
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