CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH RISKS RELATED TO OVERWEIGHT

Cross-sectional surveys of the civilian noninstitutionalized populatio n of the United States, including in-home interviews and clinical exam inations, were employed to examine trends in consumption of energy and fat, prevalence of overweight in the population, the association of o verweight with levels of blood pressure and blood cholesterol, and the prevalence of high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol among th e overweight compared with the nonoverweight. Data from participants 2 0 years of age and older are reported. Study results suggest that tota l mean energy intake, although generally accepted to be underreported in dietary surveys, may have increased. Total fat and saturated fat in take as a percent of energy decreased, but remained above recommended levels. Overweight has increased in the population, despite decreases in the prevalence of high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol le vels. Increased levels of overweight, reported as body mass index, are associated with increased cardiovascular risk factors of high blood p ressure and high blood cholesterol. These data suggest the need for he alth care practitioners to emphasize the requirement for energy balanc e (or weight loss if overweight, ie, not at a ''healthy weight''). A f ocus on fat intake alone without emphasis on energy balance is inadequ ate for achieving and maintaining recommended weight.