Differences in the U.S. trends in the prevalence of obesity based on body mass index and skinfold thickness
By: Richard V. Burkhauser, John Cawley, Maximilian D. Schmeiser.
Contributors: Cawley, John.; Schmeiser, Maximilian D.; National Bureau of Economic Research.
Series: NBER working paper series -- working paper 15005; Working paper series (National Bureau of Economic Research : Online) -- working paper no. 15005.
Publisher: National Bureau of Economic Research
Published: 2009
Place of publication: Cambridge, MA
Language: eng
Format: Electronic resource
Description: "There are several ways to measure fatness and obesity, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.  The primary measure for tracking the prevalence of obesity has historically been body mass index (BMI).  This paper compares long-run trends in the prevalence of obesity when obesity is defined using skinfold thickness instead of body mass index (BMI), using data from the full series of U.S.  National Health Examination Surveys.  The results indicate that when one uses skinfold thicknesses rather than BMI to define obesity, the rise in the prevalence of obesity is detectable ten to twenty years earlier.  This underscores the importance of examining multiple measures of fatness when monitoring or otherwise studying obesity"--National Bureau of Economic Research web site.
Notes: Title from PDF file as viewed on 6/16/2009.

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