Recorded presentation

Garret R. Lum, MPH¹, Gebreyesus Kidane, PhD, MPH², Tracy Garner², Aaron Adade, PhD², Peter E. Thomas, PhD, MPH², Samual Washington, MPH², and John O. Davies-Cole, PhD, MPH². (1) Bureau of Epidemiology and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Health, 825 North Capitol St NE, Washington, DC 20002, 202-442-5893, glum@dchealth.com, (2) Bureau of Epidemiology and Health Risk Assessment, District of Columbia Department of Health, 825 North Capitol St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Objective: Assess the perceptions of general health status in relation to weight status.

Methods: The District of Columbia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey from 1996-2001 was analyzed using SUDAAN software and statistical rates weighted to the population’s characteristics. General health status is stratified into “poor to fair,” and “good to excellent” categories. In addition, weight status is broken into “normal,” “overweight,” and “obese” groups.

Results: A majority of District of Columbia residents were either overweight (32.9%) or obese (18.5%). Respectively, overweight and obese individuals report “fair to poor health” (FTPH) status 1.3- and 2.8-times more than those who were normal weight. On average, overweight and obese females were 1.5-times more likely to respond FTPH than males. With regard to age, overweight and obese individuals were 1.2- and 2.9-times more likely to report FTPH status respectively.

Conclusion: District of Columbia residents that are overweight or obese have a greater tendency to report FTPH as opposed to those of normal weight. Obese individuals irrespective of age, feel less healthy than their normal and overweight counterparts. There is a need to study the effects of weight reduction and satisfaction levels of general health status for achieving the goals of Healthy People 2010.

Learning Objectives:

• Assess the perceptions of general health status in relation to weight status.

Keywords: Obesity, Behavioral Research

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.

Recorded presentation