At a glance
CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Nutrition (DNPAO) manages a database called Data, Trends, and Maps. While the data are from major sources, they have limitations and risks.
Limitations and risks
DNPAOs' Data, Trends, and Maps, uses several major data sources. However, other sources could supplement this information and provide more complete surveillance.
Estimates in Data, Trends, and Maps may differ from those on other CDC and external sites. Differences between estimates can occur because of variations in:
- Data definitions.
- Sample inclusion/exclusion criteria.
- Survey and measurement methodology.
For example, some data sources, such as the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), provide information on measured obesity. Alternatively, the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) relies on self-reported obesity information.
Please refer to the footnotes on the specific indicator pages for detailed information about definitions and inclusion/exclusion criteria. You can also visit the source directly by using the data source link on the indicator summary page.
Statistics in some tables and figures are based on small numbers. These estimates can be unstable. Inferences should be drawn with caution.