Agency for Healthcare 

Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Research and Quality 

STATISTICAL BRIEF #68 

February 2005 

Overweight and Obese Elderly and 

Near Elderly in the United States, 2002: 

Estimates for the Noninstitutionalized 

Population Age 55 and Older 

Jeffrey A. Rhoades, PhD 

Introduction 

This Statistical Brief presents data from the Household Component 

of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS-HC) concerning 

the prevalence of overweight and obesity among the elderly and 

near elderly (age 55 and older) noninstitutionalized (community) 

population. Estimates are for calendar year 2002. Emphasis is 

placed on the relationships between body mass index (BMI) and 

demographic characteristics of the population, total health care 

expenditures, and inpatient and prescribed medicines expenditures 

(two areas of concentrated health care expenditures). The 

demographic variables of interest are age, race/ethnicity, and 

income. Only differences that are statistically significant at the 

0.05 level are discussed in the text.

Findings 

Age 

Individuals age 75 and older were the least likely to be overweight 

or obese in 2002 as compared with other age groups. For the age 

group 75 and older, 14.3 percent were obese. This compares with

27.5 percent of those age 55 to 64 and 25.6 percent of those age 

65 to 74. With respect to being overweight, 31.8 percent of the 

individuals 75 and older were such, while 37.9 percent of 55 to 64 

year olds and 37.8 percent of individuals age 65 to 74 were 

overweight (figure 1). 

Race/ethnicity 

Black not Hispanic or Latino, single race, were the most likely to be 

obese in 2002 as compared with all other racial/ethnic groups. Of 

those individuals age 55 and older identified as black not Hispanic 

or Latino, single race, 33.9 percent were obese. This compares with

22.4 percent of white not Hispanic or Latino, single race, 28.3 percent of Hispanic or Latino and 12.2 percent of other races/multiple 

race, not Hispanic or Latino. Other races/multiple race, not Hispanic 

or Latino were the least likely to be obese (12.2 percent) in 2002 

(figure 2). 

Highlights 

� Individuals age 75 and older 

were the least likely to be 

obese in 2002: 14.3 percent of 

those age 75 and older were 

obese as compared with 27.5 

percent of those age 55 to 64 

and 25.6 percent of those age 

65 to 74. 

� Black not Hispanic or Latino, 

single race, were the most 

likely to be obese (33.9 percent) in 2002. Other races/ 

multiple race, not Hispanic or 

Latino were the least likely to 

be obese (12.2 percent). 

� Adults (age 55 and older) with 

high incomes (400 percent or 

more of the poverty level) were 

the most likely to be overweight 

(39.0 percent) in 2002.

� Among the elderly and near 

elderly population (age 55 and 

older) with an expense, obese 

individuals had higher total 

mean expenses ($7,235) for 

medical care in 2002 as compared with persons who were 

either normal weight ($5,390) 

or overweight ($5,478). 

� Persons age 55 and older 

who were obese had higher 

inpatient mean expenses 

($2,555) for 2002 when 

compared with normal weight 

($1,727) and overweight 

($1,698) individuals. 

� Obese individuals age 55 and 

older had the highest mean 

expense ($1,688) for prescribed medicines in 2002 

compared with normal weight 

($1,089) and overweight 

($1,184) individuals. 
Poverty status 

Individuals age 55 and older with the highest income (400 percent or more of the poverty level) were the 

most likely to be overweight in 2002 when compared with all other income levels. Of those individuals with 

high incomes, 39.0 percent were overweight (figure 3). 

Total expenditures 

Obese individuals age 55 and older had higher total mean expenses for medical care in 2002 as 

compared with persons who were either normal weight or overweight. The mean total expense for obese 

individuals was $7,235; this compares with $5,390 and $5,478 for normal weight and overweight individuals, 

respectively (figure 4). 

Inpatient expenditures 

With respect to inpatient care, persons 55 and older who were obese had higher mean expenses for 2002 

when compared with normal weight and overweight individuals. The mean inpatient expense in 2002 for 

obese individuals was $2,555 while the mean expense for normal weight and overweight individuals was 

$1,727 and $1,698, respectively (figure 5). 

Prescribed medicines expenditures 

For prescribed medicines, obese individuals age 55 and older had the highest mean expense for 2002 at 

$1,688. For normal weight persons, the mean expense for prescribed medicines was $1,089; for those 

who were overweight, the mean expense was $1,184; and for underweight individuals, the mean expense 

was $1,121 (figure 6). 

Data Source 

The estimates shown in this Statistical Brief are drawn from analyses conducted by MEPS staff from the 

2002 Full-Year Consolidated Data File, HC-070, which is available on the MEPS Web site, http://www. 

meps.ahrq.gov/.

Definitions/Methodology 

Underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity 

– Underweight: BMI less than 18.5 

– Normal weight: BMI of 18.5 or greater and less than 25 

– Overweight: BMI equal to or greater than 25 and less than 30 

– Obesity: BMI equal to or greater than 30 

BMI is equal to an individual’s weight in kilograms divided by his or her height in meters squared 

(kg/m2). Height and weight were self-reported. 

Age 

The respondent was asked to report the age of each family member as of the date of each 

interview. In this report, age was usually based on the sample person’s age at the end of the 

reference year. If data were not collected at the end of the year because the sample person was 

out of scope (e.g., deceased or institutionalized), then age at the time of the previous interview(s) 

was used. 

Race/ethnicity 

Classification by race and ethnicity was based on information reported for each family member. 

Respondents were asked if each family member’s race was best described as American Indian, 

Alaska Native, Asian or Pacific Islander, black, white, or other. They also were asked if each 

family member’s main national origin or ancestry was Puerto Rican; Cuban; Mexican, Mexicano, 

Mexican American, or Chicano; other Latin American; or other Spanish. All persons whose main 

national origin or ancestry was reported in one of these Hispanic groups, regardless of racial 

background, were classified as Hispanic or Latino. Since the Hispanic or Latino grouping can 

include black Hispanic or Latino, white Hispanic or Latino, and other Hispanic or Latino, the race 

categories of black, white, and other do not include Hispanic or Latino. Other not Hispanic or 

Latino included American Indian/Alaskan Native not Hispanic or Latino, Asian or Pacific Islander 

not Hispanic or Latino, and multiple races not Hispanic or Latino. 
Poverty status 

Each sample person was classified according to the total yearly income of his or her family. 

Within a household, all individuals related by blood, marriage, or adoption were considered to be 

a family. Personal income from all family members was summed to create family income. 

Poverty status is the ratio of family income to the Federal poverty thresholds, which control for 

family size and age of the head of family. Categories are defined as follows: 

– Poor: Persons in families with income less than or equal to the poverty line, including those 

who reported negative income 

– Near poor: Persons in families with income over the poverty line through 125 percent of the 

poverty line 

– Low income: Persons in families with income over 125 percent through 200 percent of the 

poverty line 

– Middle income: Persons in families with income over 200 percent through 400 percent of the 

poverty line 

– High income: Persons in families with income over 400 percent of the poverty line 

About MEPS-HC 

MEPS-HC is a nationally representative longitudinal survey that collects detailed information on health 

care utilization and expenditures, health insurance, and health status, as well as a wide variety of social, 

demographic, and economic characteristics for the civilian noninstitutionalized population. It is cosponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the National Center for Health Statistics. 

For more information about MEPS, call the MEPS information coordinator at AHRQ (301-427-1406) or 

visit the MEPS Web site at http://www.meps.ahrq.gov/. 

References 

Cohen, J. Design and Methods of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component. MEPS 

Methodology Report No. 1. AHCPR Pub. No. 97-0026. Rockville, Md.: Agency for Healthcare Policy and 

Research, 1997. 

Cohen, S. Sample Design of the 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component. MEPS 

Methodology Report No. 2. AHCPR Pub. No. 97-0027. Rockville, Md.: Agency for Health Care Policy and 

Research, 1997. 

Suggested Citation 

Rhoades, J. A. Overweight and Obese Elderly and Near Elderly in the United States, 2002: Estimates for 

the Noninstitutionalized Population Age 55 and Older. Statistical Brief #68. February 2005. Agency for 

Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.meps.ahrq.gov/papers/st68/stat68.pdf
Expenditure Panel Survey, 2002 

14.3 

31.8 

37.9 37.8 36.2 

25.6 

23.3 

27.5 

0 

10 

20 

30 

40 

50 

Age 55-64 Age 65-74 Age 75 and older 

Overweight Obese 

Percent 

Note: Adults age 75 and older were the least likely to be obese. 

Source: Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends, AHRQ, Household Component of the Medical 

Figure 1: Percentage of obese elderly and near elderly adults, 

age 55 and older, by age, 2002 

Total 

Expenditure Panel Survey, 2002 

29.5 

38.8 

33.0 

36.7 

22.4 

33.9 

12.2 

28.3 

0 

10 

20 

30 

40 

50 

White, not Hispanic or 

Latino, single race 

Black, not Hispanic or 

Latino, single race 

Hispanic or Latino 

race, not Hispanic or 

Latino 

Overweight Obese 

Percent 

Source: Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends, AHRQ, Household Component of the Medical 

Figure 2: Percentage of obese elderly and near elderly adults, 

age 55 and older, by race/ethnicity, 2002 

Other races/multiple 

Note: Black non-Hispanic or Latino, single race, were the most likely to be obese. 
Expenditure Panel Survey, 2002 

22.8 25.0 

35.6 

39.0 

33.6 32.4 32.8

25.4 

21.7 

24.9 

0 

10 

20 

30 

40 

50 

Poor Near poor Low income High income 

Overweight Obese 

Percent 

Source: Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends, AHRQ, Household Component of the Medical 

Figure 3: Percentage of obese elderly and near elderly adults, 

age 55 and older, by poverty status, 2002 

Middle income 

Note: High income individuals were the most likely to be overweight. 

Expenditure Panel Survey, 2002 

Dollars 

7,235 

5,478 5,390 

0 

2,000 

4,000 

6,000 

8,000 

Underweight Normal weight Overweight Obese 

Mean expenditures 

Source: Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends, AHRQ, Household Component of the Medical 

Figure 4: Mean total expense for elderly and near elderly adults, 

age 55 and older, by weight category, 2002 

6,087 

Note: Obese adults had higher mean total expenses for 2002 compared with normal weight and overweight individuals. 
Expenditure Panel Survey, 2002 

Dollars 

2,555 

1,727 1,698

2,368 

0 

500 

1,000 

1,500 

2,000 

2,500 

3,000 

Underweight Normal weight Overweight Obese 

Mean expenditures 

Source: Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends, AHRQ, Household Component of the Medical 

Figure 5: Mean inpatient expense for elderly and near elderly 

adults, age 55 and older, by weight category, 2002 

Note: Obese adults had higher mean inpatient expenses for 2002 compared with normal weight and overweight individuals. 

Expenditure Panel Survey, 2002 

Figure 6: Mean prescribed medicines expense for elderly and 

Dollars

1,184

1,089 

0 

500 

1,000 

1,500 

2,000 

Underweight Normal weight Overweight Obese 

Mean expenditures 

Source: Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends, AHRQ, Household Component of the Medical 

near elderly adults, age 55 and older, by weight category, 2002 

1,688 

1,121 

Note: Obese adults had the highest mean prescribed medicines expense for 2002.