The provided bar charts illustrate the weight assessment of Charlestown residents across five age brackets in 1955 and 2015. Overall, it is evident that the population experienced a substantial transition towards higher weight categories, with obesity rates rising sharply by 2015 compared to the mid-twentieth century.
In 1955, the majority of the population maintained an ideal weight, peaking at 70% for those aged 20-29. Obesity was virtually non-existent in younger cohorts, with only 5% and 10% of those aged 40-49 and 50-59 respectively falling into this category. Underweight individuals were also more prevalent in 1955, particularly among the 60-69 age group, where they accounted for 42% of the population.
By 2015, the landscape had altered significantly. Obesity became the dominant weight category for older residents, reaching 60% among those aged 60-69 and 52% for the 50-59 group. Conversely, the proportion of individuals with an ideal weight plummeted, dropping to as low as 5% for the oldest age group. While underweight individuals were common in 1955, their numbers dwindled by 2015, with the exception of the 20-29 age group, which saw 20% classified as underweight.