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PubMed1977

Fatty liver in patients with moderate alcohol consumption, diabetes mellitus and overweight.

A relationship between the occurrence of fatty liver and moderate alcohol intake, maturity onset diabetes, overweight--and combinations of these three factors--was searched for in 112 patients. Fifty-three of 59 patients with moderate alcohol consumption, 49 of 57 overweight patients, and 42 of 51 diabetic patients had fatty liver. Patients who had a moderate alcohol consumption or suffered from a combination of diabetes and overweight were found to have a significantly higher frequency and degree of fatty liver than patients in the control group. Diabetes alone, and overweight alone were not significantly related to fatty liver. Whether the diabetic state was overt of latent, there was no influence on the frequency or degree of fatty liver. A correlation between the degree of overweight and the degree of fatty liver was found only in the group of overweight patients with moderate alcohol consumption. The degree of fatty liver produced by the combination of overweight and diabetes was not significantly increased by moderate alcohol consumption.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed2003

Use of metabolic markers to identify overweight individuals who are insulin resistant.

BACKGROUND: Insulin resistance is more common in overweight individuals and is associated with increased risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Given the current epidemic of obesity and the fact that lifestyle interventions, such as weight loss and exercise, decrease insulin resistance, a relatively simple means to identify overweight individuals who are insulin resistant would be clinically useful. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ability of metabolic markers associated with insulin resistance and increased risk for cardiovascular disease to identify the subset of overweight individuals who are insulin resistant. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: General clinical research center. PATIENTS: 258 nondiabetic, overweight volunteers. MEASUREMENTS: Body mass index; fasting glucose, insulin, lipid and lipoprotein concentrations; and insulin-mediated glucose disposal as quantified by the steady-state plasma glucose concentration during the insulin suppression test. Overweight was defined as body mass index of 25 kg/m2 or greater, and insulin resistance was defined as being in the top tertile of steady-state plasma glucose concentrations. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis was used to identify the best markers of insulin resistance; optimal cut-points were identified and analyzed for predictive power. RESULTS: Plasma triglyceride concentration, ratio of triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations, and insulin concentration were the most useful metabolic markers in identifying insulin-resistant individuals. The optimal cut-points were 1.47 mmol/L (130 mg/dL) for triglyceride, 1.8 in SI units (3.0 in traditional units) for the triglyceride-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, and 109 pmol/L for insulin. Respective sensitivity and specificity for these cut-points were 67%, 64%, and 57% and 71%, 68%, and 85%. Their ability to identify insulin-resistant individuals was similar to the ability of the criteria proposed by the Adult Treatment Panel III to diagnose the metabolic syndrome (sensitivity, 52%, and specificity, 85%). CONCLUSIONS: Three relatively simple metabolic markers can help identify overweight individuals who are sufficiently insulin resistant to be at increased risk for various adverse outcomes. In the absence of a standardized insulin assay, we suggest that the most practical approach to identify overweight individuals who are insulin resistant is to use the cut-points for either triglyceride concentration or the triglyceride-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration ratio.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Prevalence of abnormal serum aminotransferase values in overweight and obese adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: (1) To determine the prevalence of abnormal liver enzymes in overweight and obese adolescents and (2) to determine the relationship of alcohol ingestion and serum antioxidants to the presence of abnormal liver enzymes in overweight and obese adolescents. METHODS: Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase levels were measured in 2450 children between the ages of 12 and 18 years, enrolled in the National Health and Examination Survey, cycle III (NHANES III). Obesity was defined as a body mass index >95th percentile for age and sex. Overweight was defined as a body mass index >85th percentile for age and sex. Nutritional intake was assessed by 24-hour dietary recall and food frequency questionnaires. Serum antioxidants were measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Sixty percent of adolescents with elevated ALT levels were either overweight or obese. Overall, 6% of overweight adolescents had elevated ALT levels (odds ratio: 3.4 [95% CI: 3.5-12.8]). Ten percent of obese adolescents had elevated ALT levels (odds ratio: 6.7 [95% CI: 3.5-12.8]). In addition, approximately 1% of obese adolescents demonstrated ALT levels over twice normal. Approximately 50% of of obsese adolescents who reported modest alcohol ingestion (4 times per month or more) had elevated ALT levels (odds ratio: 10.8, 95% CI: 1.5-77). Other factors associated with elevated ALT levels in overweight and obese adolescents include increased age, elevated glycolated hemoglobin, elevated triglycerides, and decreased levels of serum antioxidants-vitamin E, beta-carotene, and vitamin C. CONCLUSION: Overweight and obesity are the most common findings in adolescents with elevated ALT levels. Even modest alcohol consumption may significantly increase the likelihood of obese adolescents developing obesity-related liver disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Increasing prevalence of overweight among Wisconsin adults, 1989-1998.

OBJECTIVES: Overweight is an important condition that increases the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. We examined trends in overweight prevalence among Wisconsin adults from 1989 to 1998 and assessed progress in reaching the overweight 2000 goal for Wisconsin. METHODS: We used data on the self-reported height, weight, and calculated body mass index from the Wisconsin Behavioral Risk Factor Survey to examine overweight prevalence trends among Wisconsin adults. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight has increased over 40% during the past decade from 23% of adults in 1989, to 34% of adults in 1998. The increase occurred in men and women, blacks and whites, and all age groups. In 1998, 330,000 more adults were overweight in Wisconsin, compared to 1989. CONCLUSION: As rates of overweight continue to increase, the incidence and prevalence of many chronic diseases will also increase. Effective population-based efforts are required to reduce caloric intake and increase physical activity among Wisconsin adults.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Overweight and obesity prevalence among children and adolescents from Northeast and Southeast regions of Brazil].

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of obesity and overweight among children and adolescents from Northeast and Southeast regions of Brazil. METHODS: Data was collected form Life Pattern Research conducted by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) in 1997. A sample of 3,317 children and 3,943 adolescents was studied according age groups. Overweight (adolescents) and obesity (adolescents and children) were defined according to World Health Organization recommendations. Z-test was used to compare prevalence among age groups, sex and geographic region. The cut-off point for statistical significance was 0.05. RESULTS: Overweight prevalence in adolescents was 1.7% in Northeast and 4.2% in Southeast. Obesity prevalence in adolescents was 6.6% and 8.4% in children and 8.2% and 11.9% in Northeast and Southeast, respectively. Considering both regions prevalence of obese female children was 10.3%, the rate of obese adolescents was 9.3% and overweight adolescents represented 3.0%. Among males prevalence was 9.2%, 7.3% and 2.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity prevalence is lower in Northeast than Southeast among children with age from 2 to 17 years old. Overweight prevalence among adolescents was also lower in Northeast than in Southeast. The prevalence of obesity among younger than 2 and older than 18 years old was the same. Obesity prevalence is higher among breast-fed females. Among other age groups prevalence of obesity and overweight was the same for males and females. It is difficult to compare these results with other studies, since there are few populational studies and the criteria used to define overweight and obesity in children and adolescents varies in each study.

English Abstract↗
PubMed2004

[Body mass index reference norm for screening overweight and obesity in Chinese children and adolescents].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a national body mass index (BMI) reference norm for the purpose of screening and more active prevention and cure on overweight and obesity in Chinese children and adolescents. METHODS: The 2000 Chinese National Survey on Students Constitution and Health was used as reference population. In total there were more than 244.2 thousands of primary and secondary Han nationality students aged 7 through 18 years old included in this study. The BMI distribution of various Chinese children and adolescent groups were compared with the NCHS international norm, the percentage values and with advanced ages, were calculated. In the beginning, three temporary norms were set up, using the different combination of P(85), P(90) and P(95) BMI percentages. Based on the intersect testing and varifying of physiological, lipidemia biochemical and body composition measures, the best norm was then selected. B-spline smoothing method was used to correct the curves, both for males and females, composed by cut-off points at different ages. RESULTS: Using samples from the costal developed metropolis, the BMI curves successfully overcame the shortcomings of low and depressive phenomenon of the total population, in particular after the mid-adolescent period. The temporary Norm II, composed by cut-off points of P(85) for overweight and P(95) for obesity, was found to be the best among the three temporary norms, both shown by its sensitivity and specificity. 24 and 28 were used as cut-off points for overweight and obesity in this norm, both for males and females aged 18 years. These two cut-off points were consistent with those shown in the Body Mass Index Reference Norm for Screening Overweight and Obesity in Chinese Adults. Three samples from Beijing, Henan and Sichuan, used as representatives of upper, middle and relative low levels of physical growth of children and adolescents in China, were used for extra tests. The screening results showed that among the male and female subjects aged 7 through 18 years, the prevalence rates were 17.00% and 9.46% for overweight, 9.99% and 6.47% for obesity in Beijing while 10.86% and 6.64% for overweight, 4.27% and 3.07% for obesity in Henan, and 6.95% and 4.23% for overweight and 2.84% and 2.09% for obesity in Sichuan, respectively. Data clearly showed that the results were in accordance with the actural situation seen in the Chinese students in 2000. CONCLUSION: The newly established reference norm seemed to be good for prospective studies as it considered the facts regarding the rapid and strong tendency of secular growth changes seen in the Chinese children and adolescents. It also decreased the difference of growth levels between the Chinese children and adolescents and those of the international norms. This norm was particularly developed for the Chinese which was also in consistent with the Eastern Asia ethnic characteristics so could be promoted in China.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2004

Body mass index and factors related to overweight among women workers in electronic factories in Peninsular Malaysia.

Factors related to overweight were examined in a cross-sectional survey that included 1612 women workers from 10 large electronics assembly factories in Peninsular Malaysia. Respondents were Malaysian citizens, direct production workers below the supervisory level, and had worked at least a year in the factory where they were presently employed. Heights and weights were taken to calculate the body mass index (BMI). Weights and BMI increased with increasing age. After adjusting for age, odds ratios for overweight were significantly raised for married women in relation to not married women (OR 1.5, 95% CI=1.15-2.02), lower secondary education in relation to higher than upper secondary education (OR 1.8, 95% CI=1.06-3.14), monthly income RM800-999 (OR 1.7, 95% CI=1.21-2.45) and >/=RM1,000 (OR 1.8, 95% CI=1.23-2.72) in relation to <RM600, working in rotating shifts that included nightshifts (OR 1.6, 95% CI=1.28-2.06), and not staying in hostel (OR 1.4, 95% CI=1.02-1.88). In a logistic regression model with all variables included as covariates, the factors significantly associated with overweight were age, marital status, education, income, and working in rotating shifts. The overall prevalence of overweight was 37.4%; the overall mean BMI was 24.2+/-5.4 kg/m(2). Prevalence of overweight and mean BMI for younger age groups were similar to Malay women in the country-wide representative National Health and Morbidity Survey II, but the older age groups in this study had higher overweight prevalence and mean BMI than the national sample. Electronics women workers face a higher risk of overweight, and is an important group for nutrition intervention.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Regional and social differences in body mass index, and the prevalence of overweight and obesity among 18 year old men in Austria between the years 1985 and 2000.

The BMI data of four birth cohorts of totally 180,716 male 18 year old Austrian conscripts were documented in 5 year intervals starting 1985 and ending 2000 in order to analyze regional and social variety and a time trend of stature, body weight and BMI as well as the prevalence rates of overweight (defined as a BMI > 25.00) and obesity (BMI > 30.00). At first a marked time trend in BMI and overweight/obesity prevalence rates was found. Over the 15 years of investigation BMI increased significantly and the variation of BMI distribution increased too. The impact of educational level on BMI and the prevalence of overweight and obesity was also statistically significant. With increasing educational level BMI and the prevalence rates of overweight and obesity decreased significantly. Furthermore a significant regional variety in BMI and the prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were found. BMI and the prevalence rates of obesity and overweight decreased significantly from the Eastern part of Austria to the Western part. Both observations, e.g. the social and regional variety of obesity and overweight prevalence, were true of all 4 birth cohorts. From these results we can conclude that obesity and overweight represent an increasing health problem among young Austrian males. This is especially true of young men of low social status living in the eastern part of Austria.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Information and communication about overweight in family practice.

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether the family doctor recognizes the problem of overweight in his patients and if this problem was addressed in the communication between patient and doctor, especially in diabetic and hypertensive patients. METHOD: During a period of three months all patients in a German family practice were weighed and measured to calculate their body mass index (BMI). Overweight patients were asked if this issue had been a topic in the communication with their doctor and if he had recommended weight reduction. In addition, the doctor was interviewed about these patients and his concept of counselling and treating obesity. RESULTS: For 75% (740/979) of all patients attending the practice, the BMI could be determined: 35% of men (116/331) and 29% of women (117/409) were were overweight, and more than half of these patients were recruited to answer a structured questionnaire. Thirty-four percent of these patients did not know their ideal weight and 51% could not remember talking about this issue with the doctor. Communication/information about this issue was ranked as good in 29% of patients and in 19% as poor. We found a moderate association between information about overweight and patients' willingness for and success in weight reduction. Only 64% of obese patients (BMI > or = 30) were considered at risk for later disease and in need of treatment by the family physician. The doctor tended to overlook overweight in hypertensive or diabetic patients. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that more medical attention should be directed to a reliable measurement and documentation of overweight and to respective communication with overweight patients, especially when hypertension and/or diabetes is present.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Overweight and obesity in Italy, 1990-91.

Overweight and obesity are associated with several important diseases, including diabetes, cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases, digestive disorders and cancer. We decided, therefore, to present estimates of the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the general Italian population. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in Italy was evaluated using data from the 1990-91 Italian National Health Survey. 25,818 households were surveyed, representing the whole Italian population. A sample of 24,602 males and 26,090 females aged 15 or over was randomly selected, within strata of geographical area, size of municipality and size of household, in order to be fully representative. Quetelet's index was considered as a measure of body mass index, on the basis of self reported height and weight, and was a priori divided into four levels: underweight (< 20 kgm-2), normal weight (20 to 24.9 kgm-2), overweight (25 to 29.9 kgm-2), and obese (> or = 30 kgm-2). In the overall national sample, 11.0% of subjects were underweight (4.4% males, 12.2% females), 50.8% normal weight (49.4% males, 52.2% females), 31.6% overweight (39.2% males, 24.5% females), and 6.5% obese (7.0% males, 6.1% females). The prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher in middle age and in the South of the country, and was directly related to history of diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases, gallbladder disease and chronic respiratory disorders. These data quantify the importance of overweight and obesity as a public health issue in the general Italian population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

High prevalence of overweight and obesity in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To study the pattern of body weight distribution and the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Saudi Arabia. DESIGN: Cross-sectional national epidemiological household survey. SUBJECT: 13,177 Saudi subjects, over the age of 15 years. The sample was adjusted for gender, age, regional and residency population distribution. The range and mean of age was similar for male and female subjects (15-95 years, 33 years). MEASUREMENT: questionnaire, describing the social, educational and financial status. Measurement of height, weight and calculation of body mass index (BMI). WHO classification was used for defining overweight (BMI 25-30) and obesity (BMI > 30). RESULTS: The mean BMI for female subjects was significantly higher than for male subjects, whether for all subjects or subjects of any given age group. There was a progressive increase of BMI for male and female subjects with age, reaching maximum at the 5th decade. The prevalence of overweight among male subjects was significantly higher than for female subjects (29% vs 27%). The prevalence of obesity among female subjects was significantly higher than for male subjects (24% vs 16%). There was a gender variation within each region with respect to the prevalence of overweight with higher prevalence of overweight among male subjects, throughout all the regions, except the Southern region, none of the differences, however, reached significance levels. The prevalence of obesity was significantly higher among female subjects, throughout all the regions. Overweight and obesity were more prevalent among illiterate, high-income subjects who were residing in urban communities. CONCLUSION: This epidemiological household survey has shown high prevalence of overweight and obesity among Saudi subjects. The prevalence of obesity among female Saudi subjects was among the highest reported, whether, when using the WHO criteria or the 85th percentile of US subject aged 20-29 years. The increase of prevalence of such conditions among high income subjects would reflect the perception of fatness as sign of affluence among those subjects. As the prevalence of obesity increases with age and considering that the majority of Saudi population are less than 30 years old at the present time, then, one would expect the magnitude of obesity to be even bigger in the near future. There is a need to establish programs for promoting awareness among the population of the health hazards and means of control of obesity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Overweight and healing of midline incisions: the importance of suture technique.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of body mass index on the healing of midline laparotomy wounds closed with a continuous technique. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. SETTING: County hospital, Sweden. SUBJECTS: 1023 patients who underwent midline laparotomy between September 1991 and June 1993. INTERVENTIONS: Body mass index was recorded and overweight was defined as an index above 25. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperative wound infection, and incidence of incisional hernia at 12 months. RESULTS: Overweight patients were sutured with a higher suture length:wound length ratio than others (p < 0.01). Wound infection developed postoperatively in 97 of 1023 patients (10%) and overweight, youth, wound contamination, and reoperation were independent risk factors. However, overweight was not associated with a higher rate of infection if the suture length:wound length ratio was 4.0-4.9. Incisional hernias developed in 118 of 808 patients (15%) and overweight, old age, wound infection, and suture length:wound length ratio less than 4 were independent risk factors. However, overweight was not associated with a higher hernia rate if the suture length:wound length ratio was 4.0-4.9. CONCLUSION: Overweight is a risk factor for wound infection and incisional hernia after midline abdominal surgery but these effects may be eliminated if patients are sutured with a suture length to wound length ratio of 4.0-4.9.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Prevalance of obesity and overweight in northeastern peninsular Malaysia and their relationship with cardiovascular risk factors.

Height and body weight were measured in 2,284 subjects over 20 years old. The subjects were chosen by cluster sampling in 9 districts of Kelantan. Blood was drawn after an overnight fast for measurement of cholesterol (chol), triglyceride (TG), VLDL and HDL-Chol. Oral glucose tolerance test was performed with 75 g glucose. The overall prevalence of overweight [BMI (kg/m2) > or = 25-< or = 30] and obesity (BMI > 30) was 21.3% and 4.5% respectively. The overweight and obese were significantly younger than the lean subjects. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (chol > 5.2 mmol/l) in lean, overweight and obese subjects was 65.3%, 70.2% and 74.7%, respectively. Impaired glucose tolerance was found in 16.6% of the lean, 21.6% of the overweight and 32.0% of the obese subjects. Diabetes mellitus was found in 7.9% of the lean, 10.5% of the overweight and 6.7 of the obese subjects. 10.1% of lean, 13.2% of overweight and 23.3% of obese individuals were hypertensive. In conclusion, the high prevalence of overweight and obesity in Malaysia was associated with adverse lipid and glucose metabolism as well as poor blood pressure control.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Lipidic profile of individuals without cardiopathy with overweight and obesity].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the lipidic profile of overweight and obese individuals submitted to cardiologic assessment and who did not show evidences of cardiopathy. METHODS: Sample with 684 individuals, 389 (56.9%) women and 295 (43.1%) men, with age ranging from 14 to 74 (average of 40.6) years old, without evidences of cardiopathy after clinical assessment and analysis of electrocardiogram, thorax radiography, ergometric test on treadmill and two-dimensional Doppler echocardiogram. The serum profile of lipids and glucose regarding sex and ranges of body mass index (BMI) -- eutrophic up to 24.9 Kg/m2, overweight 25-29.9 Kg/m2 and obese > 30 Kg/m2, was studied. RESULTS: The following means showed a significant statistic difference between the sexes: glucose (mg/dL) in women 90.21+/-23.13 and men 95.28+/-28.64 (p < 0.001); triglycerides (mg/dL) in women 97.27+/-55.24 and men 141.47+/-57.06 (p < 0.001) and HDL-C (mg/dL) in women 52.63+/-13.92 and men 43+/-10.88 (p < 0.001). The average BMI in women was 26.15 and in men 26.33 (p = ns). In the analysis through BMI ranges there was a significant difference between the sexes (p = 0.037). In the categories of overweight and obesity, only the means of triglycerides in women showed a significant statistic difference: overweight women with 102.25+/-60.68 mg/dL and obese 121.64+/-63.57 mg/dL (p = 0.034). CONCLUSION: Women without cardiopathy showed serum levels of glucose, triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol lower than men's. In both sexes, the means are lower in the comparison with eutrophic and overweight, and only the triglycerides average of women with overweight and obesity showed significant statistic difference.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Impact of increased overweight on the projected prevalence of osteoporosis in older women.

INTRODUCTION: Overweight is increasing worldwide, but particularly in the United States of America. Higher body weight is associated with higher bone density, so our goal was to estimate whether the higher prevalence of overweight is likely to reduce osteoporosis among older women. METHODS: We calculated the prevalence of osteoporosis by weight status in older women using data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III, 1988-94). We defined overweight as a body mass index (BMI) >or=25 and osteoporosis as a femur neck bone mineral density (BMD) value 2.5 standard deviations or more below the mean of that of young women. To estimate the expected prevalence of osteoporosis, we applied the prevalence of osteoporosis by weight status from NHANES III to the corresponding weight status prevalence from NHANES 1999-2002. RESULTS: Of older women in NHANES 1999-2002, 68% were overweight compared to 62% in NHANES III. Overweight status was significantly related to osteoporosis prevalence (P < 0.001). However, the expected prevalence of osteoporosis in NHANES 1999-2002 was only slightly lower than that seen in NHANES III (16.8% vs 18.1%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The increasing prevalence of overweight among older US women appears unlikely to be accompanied by a significant reduction in osteoporosis.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Overweight and obesity and their associated factors in adolescents in Tehran, Iran, 2004-2005.

OVERVIEW: Obesity is a significant health crisis around the world. Of great concern are the data pointing to the recent increase in the prevalence of obesity irregardless of age group and country. Overweight and obesity in adolescence are markers of overweight and obesity in adults, respectively. Very little data are currently available on the prevalence of childhood obesity in Iran, and more research on the risk factors is required before preventive public health programs can be formulated and put into practice. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to quantify the prevalence of overweight and obesity and their associated factors in adolescent children living in Tehran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a multistage stratified cluster sampling, 2900 students (1200 males and 1700 females) aged 11-17 years were selected from 20 secondary schools in the school year of 2004-2005. A questionnaire was filled, and weight and height were measured. DISCUSSIONS AND CONCLUSIONS: The body mass index (BMI) was calculated and adjusted for age and sex. Prevalences of overweight and obesity were 17.9 and 7.1%, respectively. BMI increased with age, and it was higher in those who had lower levels of physical activity. Age at menarche was negatively associated with BMI. There was no relationship between macro- and micronutrient intake and overweight and obesity. This study highlights the high prevalence of overweight and obesity in adolescent children in Tehran.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Recent trend in overweight and obesity in male adolescents in Austria: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to provide current estimates of the prevalence of overweight and obesity in young Austrian men and to determine both the trend over the study period and regional differences. METHOD: Data extracted from the database containing the nation-wide compulsory conscription health examinations were analysed. Four cohorts of 18-year-old males (1986-1990: n=252,799; 1991-1995: n=209,266; 1996-2000: n=208,427; 2001-2005: n=209,168) were investigated. Measurements of height and weight were taken and, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Overweight was defined as a BMI >or=25.00 kg//m2 and obesity as a BMI >or=30.00 kg//m2. Information on place of residence of the young men was also collected. The t-test and Cochran-Armitage test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: During the study period, the prevalence of overweight among the study population increased from 12.9 to 15.5%, while that of obesity increased from 2.5 to 5.8%. A significant regional trend was found, with the highest proportion of overweight and obesity occurring among young male residents of the eastern part of Austria (p<0.001). Mean BMI was 22.38+/-3.05 kg/m2 in 1986-1990, increasing significantly (p<0.001) during the study period to 22.89+/-3.88 kg/m2. Overweight and obesity increased remarkably in young males in Austria between 1986 and 2005. The prevalence of obesity doubled during the whole study period. CONCLUSION: Even in a small country as Austria, significant regional differences with respect to overweight and obesity can be found. Although limited to just one gender and a single age group, data from the nation-wide compulsory conscription health examinations could be a useful tool for public health monitoring.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Occupational sitting time and overweight and obesity in Australian workers.

BACKGROUND: One of the major immediate and long-term health issues in modern society is the problem of overweight and obesity. This paper examines the role of the workplace in the problem by studying the association between occupational sitting time and overweight and obesity (body mass index [BMI] > or =25) in a sample of adult Australians in full-time employment. METHODS: Data on age, gender, occupation, physical activity, occupational sitting time, and BMI were collected in September 2003 from a sample of 1579 adult men and women in full-time employment at the time of the survey. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between occupational sitting time and overweight and obesity. RESULTS: Mean occupational sitting time was >3 hours/day, and significantly higher in men (209 minutes) than in women (189 minutes, p=0.026). Univariate analyses showed significant associations between occupational sitting time and BMI of > or =25 in men but not in women. After adjusting for age, occupation, and physical activity, the odds ratio for BMI > or =25 was 1.92 (confidence interval: 1.17-3.17) in men who reported sitting for >6 hours/day, compared with those who sat for <45 minutes/day. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational sitting time was independently associated with overweight and obesity in men who were in full-time paid work. These results suggest that the workplace may play an important role in the growing problem of overweight and obesity. Further research is needed to clearly understand the association between sitting time at work and overweight and obesity in women.

Adult↗