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WASHINGTON, May 02, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Once considered primarily a problem or U.S. poor people, obesity is growing fastest among those making more than $60,000 a year.
"There has been a perception that poor people are more likely to be fat," said Nidhi Maheshwari, a graduate research assistant in epidemiology in the University of Iowa College of Public Health in Iowa City, Iowa. "However, obesity is growing at a much faster rate in those with the highest incomes."
The researchers compared data collected in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys during 1971-74 with data collect 2001-02. The researchers found the highest income category, above $60,000, had the greatest increase - 27.6 percent -- in obesity prevalence from 9.7 percent in 1971-1974 to 26.8 percent in 2001-2002.
"The inverse relationship between income and obesity seen in earlier studies has eroded," said study co-author Dr. Jennifer Robinson of the University of Iowa.
The findings were presented during the American Heart Association's 45th Annual Conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention.
Copyright 2005 by United Press International.
