Current prevalence rates of overweight, obesity, central obesity, and related cardiovascular risk factors that clustered among middle-aged population of China

Abstract

To analyze the current prevalence rates of overweight, obesity, central obesity and the clustering of major cardiovascular risks among middle-aged population of China. 1 000 participants aged 35-64 years in each of the 12 populations under study, were examined with international standardized criteria in 2009-2010. Out of the 11 623 potential respondents, 10 340 of them were eligible for analysis. Current prevalence rates of overweight, obesity and central obesity, and the clustering of major cardiovascular risks were analyzed. Overweight and obesity were defined under the Chinese BMI criteria. The prevalence rates were 38.8% on overweight, 20.2% on obesity and 51.6% on central obesity, respectively. Overall, the prevalence was seen higher in females, in northern part of the country and in urban (P < 0.05). Participants with all of three risk factors (hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia) appeared 4.5 times in obese persons than in normal persons but 5.1 times in persons with central obesity. About half of middle aged Chinese were under abnormal weight, and most participants in our study were accompanied with cardiovascular risk factors related to obesity. It is of urgent need to develop strategies on prevention and intervention against obesity.