Overweight, physical activity, tobacco and alcohol consumption in a cross-sectional random sample of German adults

Mark M Haenle,Wolfgang Kratzer,Peter Kern,Isolde Piechotowski,Richard A Mason,Bernhard O Boehm,Gerald Steinbach,Wolfgang Koenig,Stefan O Brockmann,Martina Kron,Ursula Bertling

doi:10.1186/1471-2458-6-233

Abstract

BackgroundThere is a current paucity of data on the health behaviour of non-selected populations in Central Europe. Data on health behaviour were collected as part of the EMIL study which investigated the prevalence of infection with Echinococcus multilocularis and other medical conditions in an urban German population.MethodsParticipating in the present study were 2,187 adults (1,138 females [52.0%]; 1,049 males [48.0%], age: 18–65 years) taken from a sample of 4,000 persons randomly chosen from an urban population. Data on health behaviour like physical activity, tobacco and alcohol consumption were obtained by means of a questionnaire, documentation of anthropometric data, abdominal ultrasound and blood specimens for assessment of chemical parameters.ResultsThe overall rate of participation was 62.8%. Of these, 50.3% of the adults were overweight or obese. The proportion of active tobacco smokers stood at 30.1%. Of those surveyed 38.9% did not participate in any physical activity. Less than 2 hours of leisure time physical activity per week was associated with female sex, higher BMI (Body Mass Index), smoking and no alcohol consumption. Participants consumed on average 12 grams of alcohol per day. Total cholesterol was in 62.0% (>5.2 mmol/l) and triglycerides were elevated in 20.5% (≥ 2.3 mmol/l) of subjects studied. Hepatic steatosis was identified in 27.4% of subjects and showed an association with male sex, higher BMI, higher age, higher total blood cholesterol, lower HDL, higher triglycerides and higher ALT.ConclusionThis random sample of German urban adults was characterised by a high prevalence of overweight and obesity. This and the pattern of alcohol consumption, smoking and physical activity can be considered to put this group at high risk for associated morbidity and underscore the urgent need for preventive measures aimed at reducing the significantly increased health risk.

Highlights

There is a current paucity of data on the health behaviour of non-selected populations in Central Europe
Diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia, all of which are associated with lifestyles characterized by unbalanced diets high in calories and with inadequate physical activity, are considered risk factors for many diseases [6]
Multiple logistic regression was performed in order to identify risk factors for the development of steatosis hepatis and to show potential association between physical activity and other factors

Summary

Introduction

Chronic diseases – including cardiovascular conditions, obesity, diabetes, stroke, cancers and respiratory diseases – account for 59% of the 57 million deaths annually, and 46% of the global disease burden [1]. This reflects a significant change in diet habits and physical activity levels worldwide as a result of industrialization, urbanization, economic development and increased food market globalization [1]. Studies by the National center for chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion in the USA have shown that, depending on region, the impact of the risk factors overweight, inadequate physical activity, tobacco and alcohol may vary by up to 20% between populations and regions [8]. There is a paucity of data acquired from locally defined population samples, especially urban populations [10,11]

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