The Trend of Mean BMI Values of US Adults, Birth Cohorts 1882-1986 Indicates that the Obesity Epidemic began Earlier than Hitherto Thought

0346875 - ÚI 2011 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Komlos, J. - Brabec, Marek
The Trend of Mean BMI Values of US Adults, Birth Cohorts 1882-1986 Indicates that the Obesity Epidemic began Earlier than Hitherto Thought.
American Journal of Human Biology. Roč. 22, č. 5 (2010), s. 631-638. ISSN 1042-0533. E-ISSN 1520-6300
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z10300504
Keywords : BMI * semiparametric model * generalized additive model * trend estimation * birth cohort effects
Subject RIV: BB - Applied Statistics, Operational Research
Impact factor: 2.021, year: 2010

The trend in the body mass index (BMI) values of the US population has not been estimated accurately because the time series data are unavailable and the focus has been on calculating period effects. To estimate the trend and rate of change of BMI values by birth cohorts stratified by gender and ethnicity born 1882-1986, we use (semiparametric) loess additive regression models to estimate age and trend effects of BMI values of US-born black and white adults measured between 1959 and 2006. We infer that transition to postindustrial weights was a gradual process and began considerably earlier than hitherto supposed. The rate of increase was fastest among black females; for the three other groups under consideration, the rates of increase were similar. The generally persistent upward trend was punctuated by upsurges, particularly after each of the two world wars.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0187787