Methodology

The percent of U.S. adults who are obese or who have diagnosed diabetes was determined by using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS, available at http://www.cdc.gov/brfss). An ongoing, yearly, state-based telephone survey of the non-institutionalized adult population in each state, the BRFSS provides state-specific information on behavioral risk factors for disease and on preventive health practices. Respondents who reported that a physician told them they had diabetes (other than during pregnancy) were considered to have diagnosed diabetes. Self reported weight and height were used to calculate body mass index (BMI): weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. A BMI greater than or equal to 30 was considered to be obese. Rates were age-adjusted using the 2000 U.S. Standard Population.