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Older Men Leading the Way in Weight Gain Since 1960
 Older
women gain less than younger women 1960 to 2002
Oct. 27, 2004 – We are all getting a lot fatter but
older men are leading the way, according to a study that reports men 60
to 74 were 33 pounds heavier in 2002 than in 1960. Older women are doing
much better, in fact, women in this older age group were only 17.5
pounds heavier than 1960 – a smaller gain than for younger women.
All adult men and women are roughly an inch taller
than they were in 1960, but are nearly 25 pounds heavier on average as
well, according to the new report from the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC). In addition, average BMI (body mass index, a
weight-for-height formula used to measure obesity) has increased among
adults from approximately 25 in 1960 to 28 in 2002.
The report, Mean Body Weight, Height, and Body Mass
Index (BMI) 1960-2002: United States, prepared by CDC’s National Center
for Health Statistics, shows that the average height of a man aged 20-74
years increased from just over 5’8” in 1960 to 5’9½ ’’ in 2002, while
the average height of a woman the same age increased from slightly over
5’3” 1960 to 5’4” in 2002.
Meanwhile, the average weight for men aged 20-74
years rose dramatically from 166.3 pounds in 1960 to 191 pounds in 2002,
while the average weight for women the same age increased from 140.2
pounds in 1960 to 164.3 pounds in 2002.
Though the average weight for men aged 20-39 years
increased by nearly 20 pounds over the last four decades, the increase
was greater among older men:
>
Men between the ages of 40 and 49 were nearly 27 pounds heavier on
average in 2002 compared to 1960.
>
Men between the ages of 50 and 59 were nearly
28 pounds heavier on average in 2002 compared to 1960.
>
Men between the ages of 60 and 74 were almost
33 pounds heavier on average in 2002 compared to 1960.
For women, the near opposite trend occurred:
>
Women aged 20-29 were nearly 29 pounds
heavier on average in 2002 compared to 1960.
>
Women aged 40-49 were about 25 ½ pounds
heavier on average in 2002 compared to 1960.
>
Women aged 60-74 were about 17 ½ pounds
heavier on average in 2002 compared to 1960.
Meanwhile, the report documented that average
weights for children are increasing as well:
>
The average weight for a 10 year-old-boy in
1963 was 74.2 pounds; by 2002 the average weight was nearly 85 pounds.
>
The average weight for a 10-year-old girl in
1963 was 77.4 pounds; by 2002 the average weight was nearly 88 pounds.
>
A 15-year-old boy weighed 135.5 pounds on
average in 1966; by 2002 the average weight of a boy that age increased
to 150.3 pounds.
>
A 15-year-old girl weighed 124.2 pounds on
average in 1966; by 2002 the average weight for a girl that age was
134.4 pounds.
According to the report, average heights for
children increased as well over the past four decades. For example:
>
The average height of a 10-year-old boy in
1963 was 55.2 inches; by 2002 the average height of a 10-year-old boy
had increased to 55.7 inches.
>
The average height of a 10-year-old girl in
1963 was about 55.5 inches; by 2002 the average height of a 10-year-old
girl had increased to 56.4 inches.
>
In 1966, the average height of a 15-year-old
boy was 67.5 inches or almost 5’7½”; by 2002 the average height of a
15-year-old boy was 68.4 or almost 5’8½”.
>
In 1996, the average height of a 15-year-old
girl was 63.9 inches; by 2002 the average height of a 15-year-old girl
had not changed significantly (63.8 inches).
Average BMI for children and teens has increased as
well:
>
In 1963, the average BMI for a 7-year-old boy
was 15.9; in 2002 it was 17.0. For girls the same age, the average BMI
increased from 15.8 to 16.6 over the same period.
>
In 1966, the average BMI for a 16-year-old
boy was 21.3; in 2002, it was 24.1. For girls the same age, the average
BMI increased from 21.9 to 24.0 over the same period.
The BMI is a single number that evaluates an
individual's weight status in relation to height. BMI is generally used
as the first indicator in assessing body fat and has been the most
common method of tracking weight problems and obesity among adults.
The data in the report was based on actual body
measurements taken as part of the National Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey, which CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)
has conducted periodically since 1960. The NCHS report, Mean Body
Weight, Height, and Body Mass Index (BMI) 1960-2002: United States is
available on-line at
www.cdc.gov/nchs.
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