title: The Healthy Weight Disparity Index: Why We Need It to Solve the Obesity Crisis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study assessed the usefulness of the Healthy Weight Disparity Index (HWDI) to evaluate income disparities related to obesity. We compared state based body mass index (BMI) rankings with HWDI rankings.
  
  
  METHODS
  National data from the 2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were used to estimate mean BMI levels in each of the 50 states (plus Washington, D.C.) by income level. Income-related disparities were described with the HWDI. Kappa statistics analyzed the concordance between the two rankings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  State-based BMI and the HWDI rankings were not concordant. For example, Washington, D.C. was ninth for lowest mean BMI yet ranked 49th on the HWDI. West Virginia ranked 42nd and 5th, and Mississippi ranked 51st on both the BMI and HWDI, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  State-based BMI and HWDI rankings present divergent perspectives on the obesity crisis. We recommend adding HWDI rankings to BMI rankings to reflect fully patterns of obesity and subgroup differences.
authors.forename: Wendell C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Raheem J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Paxton
authors.forename: Leah S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: Laura L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Bellows
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult