Metabolic health and body size phenotypes: Trends and prevalence: Data from NHANES 1999-2010

Data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for 1999-2010 were used to study trends in and prevalence of metabolically healthy (MH) and unhealthy individuals and obesity over 1999-2010. Over 1999-2010, while increasing trends in prevalence of obesity were observed for the total population (p<0.01), males (p<0.01), females (p=0.02), among 20-64 years old (p<0.01), among ≥65 years old (p=0.02), no trends were observed for prevalence of metabolically healthy and metabolically healthy obese (p ≥ 0.19). Irrespective of gender, race/ethnicity, and age, MH had statistically significantly lower levels of SBP, DBP, TG, FPG, HOMA-IR, and CRP and higher levels of HDL than metabolically unhealthy (MUH) individuals. Adjusted prevalence of MH was higher among 20-64 years old than ≥65 years old (p=0.03), among females than males (p<0.01), and among normal weight than overweight and obese individuals (p<0.01). Race/ethnicity, smoking status, levels of and physical activity intake did not affect adjusted prevalence of MH.