 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Karin Ann Mack, PhD, NCCDPHP/DACH/BSB, Centers for Disease Control, 4770 Buford Hwy NE K66, Atlanta, GA 30341, 770-488-2500, kim9@cdc.gov and Indu Ahluwalia, MPH, PHD, Division of Adult and Community Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, MS K66, Atlanta, GA 30341-3717.
Objective Much of the burden for health care stems from chronic illnesses, and risk for chronic illness is related to lifestyle and behavior. We present estimates of obesity and critical behavior/lifestyle factors (e.g., smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise) over the previous decade for women ³18. All analyses are stratified by race to examine disparities. Methods We analyzed 1991-2001 BRFSS data, which uses a multistage-cluster design to select a representative sample of adults aged ³18 (estimates are weighted). Sample size range: 50,875 women aged ³18 years in 1991 to 121,456 in 2001. Results Prevalence estimates are presented by sociodemographic factors and year. Overall, obesity rose from 12.4% (1991; (95%CI=11.9-12.9) to 21.5% (2001; 95%CI=21.1-21.9) for women aged ³18 years. Prevalence estimates for obesity were highest for Black women (1991=23.8%; 95%CI=22%-25.5%; 2001=35.2%; 95%CI=33.8%-36.7%). White women were significantly more likely to smoke than Black or Hispanic women in 1991 and 2001. Smoking estimates for 1991 and 2001 were not significantly different for any racial/ethnic group. The percentage of women ³40 having a mammogram in the past two years was significantly higher in 2001 (76.2%) than 1991 (62.7%). Conclusions Results document dramatic changes and plateaus in health behaviors and lifestyle as well as disparities over the previous decade. The increase in obesity and static levels of smoking foretell that there will be similar increases in chronic conditions unless public health efforts are successful in stemming this tide. Gender and culturally-sensitive prevention programs must become a priority to improve the quality and length of life.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Health Behavior, Women's Health
Related Web page: www.cdc.gov/brfss
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.