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