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Old 08-22-2006, 09:19 AM   #8 (permalink)
Jinn
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Location: Seattle, WA
Your argument is not completely, invalid, however.

From the CDC:

Quote:
HANES III and NHANES 1999-2002 used a stratified, multistage, probability sample of the civilian, U.S. noninstitutionalized population. A household interview and a physical examination were conducted for each survey participant. During the physical examination, conducted in mobile examination centers, height and weight were measured as part of a more comprehensive set of body measurements. These measures were taken by trained health technicians, using standardized measuring procedures and equipment. Observations for pregnant women and for persons missing a valid height or weight measurement were not included in the data analysis.
It seems they developed these experiments in a controlled fashion, but their statistical analysis truly falls apart because of their sample size. In the NHANES 1999-2002 study that they use to present the conclusion that 65% of America is obese, they used a sample size of 8,505 participants. Its a decent sample size, but it likely has a very weak correlative relationship with the 295-299 million people inhabiting the US.

So, two points -- your city is probably not indicative of the true normalized average of obesity, but neither is the CDC's estimation.
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