Trends in Lipids, Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome, and Diabetes Mellitus in the United States: An NHANES Analysis (2003‐2004 to 2013‐2014)

Objective The aim of this study was to estimate frequency and prevalence of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes mellitus in US adults. Methods Data were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES; 2003‐2004 to 2013‐2014) ( n = 32,188). The frequency and prevalence of diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m 2 ), and abdominal obesity were calculated and extrapolated to the US adult population. Average levels of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) and triglycerides (TG) were also assessed. Results Mean HDL‐C remained constant over the study in men (~48 mg/dL) and women (~58 mg/dL). A downward trend was observed for median TG levels in men (122 mg/dL, 2003‐2004; 98 mg/dL, 2013‐2014) and women (110 mg/dL, 2003‐2004; 90 mg/dL, 2013‐2014). The estimated frequency of obesity increased by 20.4 million, and the estimated frequency of diabetes increased by 9 million, affecting 21.2 million (10%) and 30.2 million (13%) US adults, respectively. The estimated frequency (and prevalence) of metabolic syndrome was unchanged at ~50 million (23%). Conclusions The frequency and prevalence of key cardiovascular risk factors, particularly diabetes and obesity, continue to increase in US adults and represent a substantial clinical burden. More effective preventive interventions are required to reduce the rising prevalence of obesity and its metabolic sequelae.