Table 1

Changes in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in some developed countries

Country/Year

Age/yr

Study (author)

Change in obesity

USA

1973–1994

5–24

Bogalusa [67]

Mean level increased 0.2 kg/yr, twofold increase in prevalence of obesity

1971–1974

6–19

NHANES I [68]

Relatively stable

1976–1980

6–19

NHANES II [68]

Relatively stable

1988–1994

6–19

NHANES III [68]

Doubled to 11%

1999–2000

6–19

NHANES IV [68]

Increased by 4%

Japan

1974–1993

6–14

Kotani [69]

Doubled (5% to 10%)

UK

1984–98

7–11

Lobstein [70]

Changed from 8% to 20%

Spain

1985/6 to 1995/6

6–7

Moreno [71]

Changed from 23% to 35%

France

1992–1996

5–12

Rolland-Cachera [72]

Changed from 10% to 14%

Greece

1984–2000

6–12

Krassas [73]

Increased by 7%

Dehghan et al. Nutrition Journal 2005 4:24   doi:10.1186/1475-2891-4-24