Trends in Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors by Obesity Level in Adults in the United States, NHANES 1999-2010

ObjectiveTo assess whether trends in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors by among overweight and obese US adults have improved. MethodsThe study included 10,568 adults 18 years and older who participated in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2010. CVD risk factors included diabetes (self-reported diagnosis, glycated hemoglobin 6.5%, or fasting plasma glucose 126mg/dl), hypertension (treatment or blood pressure 140/90 mmHg), dyslipidemia (treatment or non-HDL cholesterol 160 mg/dl), and smoking (self-report or cotinine levels 10 ng/ml). The prevalence and temporal trends of CVD risk factors for each BMI group were estimated. ResultsIn 2007-2010, the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia was highest among obese (18.5%, 35.7%, 49.7%, respectively) followed by overweight (8.2%, 26.4%, 44.2%, respectively) and normal weight adults (5.4%, 19.8%, 28.6%, respectively). Smoking exposure was highest among normal weight (29.8%) followed by overweight (24.8%) and obese adults (24.6%). From 1999-2002 to 2007-2010, untreated hypertension decreased among obese and overweight adults and untreated dyslipidemia decreased for all weight groups. There were no significant temporal changes in smoking across BMI groups. ConclusionsDespite decreases in untreated risk factors, it is important to improve the CVD risk profile of overweight and obese US adults.