If you’re one of the millions of Americans who have made a New Years Resolution to get in the gym, get in shape, and lose weight, you won’t be surprised to hear the latest news from the Center Of Disease Control. According to a recent report from the CDC, on average, American men and women weigh 8 pounds more than they did in 2000! The CDC also reported that men and women are slightly shorter than they were in 2000.
The CDC reported that the average woman went from an average of 163.8 pounds in 1999-2000 to 170.6 pounds in 2015-2016. In the same time span, the average male went from 189.4 pounds to 197.6 pounds. The only groups who did not have a significant change in their weight were Black and Asian men and Mexican American women.
In 2015-2016 the women who were surveyed were shorter than the average of 5 feet 3.8 inches to 5 feet 3.7 inches in 2015-2016, and the men went from an average of 5 feet 9.1 inches in 2015-2016, whereas they were taller in 2003-2004 at 5 feet 9.4 inches.
As height went down and weight went up, changes to BMI (Body Mass Index) were also noted. BMI takes a person’s weight and height to calculate whether they are underweight, normal weight, overweight or obese. On average, Americans BMI went from 27.8 (men) and 28.2 (women) to 29.1 and 29.6 respectively. A BMI of 30 is considered obese.
The CDC’s findings are troubling. As Americans creep closer to the obese level, they are also moving towards the potential for weight related health issues like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke.
