Differences In Prevalence Of Overweight Research Articles

Spatial analysis of overweight prevalence in China: exploring the association with air pollution

BackgroundOverweight is a known risk factor for various chronic diseases and poses a significant threat to middle-aged and elderly adults. Previous studies have reported a strong association between overweight and air pollution. However, the spatial relationship between the two remains unclear due to the confounding effects of spatial heterogeneity.MethodsWe gathered height and weight data from the 2015 China Health and Retirement Long-term Survey (CHARLS), comprising 16,171 middle-aged and elderly individuals. We also collected regional air pollution data. We then analyzed the spatial pattern of overweight prevalence using Moran's I and Getis-Ord Gi* statistics. To quantify the explanatory power of distinct air pollutants for spatial differences in overweight prevalence across Southern and Northern China, as well as across different age groups, we utilized Geodetector's q-statistic.ResultsThe average prevalence of overweight among middle-aged and elderly individuals in each city was 67.27% and 57.39%, respectively. In general, the q-statistic in southern China was higher than that in northern China. In the north, the prevalence was significantly higher at 54.86% compared to the prevalence of 38.75% in the south. SO2 exhibited a relatively higher q-statistic in middle-aged individuals in both the north and south, while for the elderly in the south, NO2 was the most crucial factor (q = 0.24, p < 0.01). Moreover, fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) also demonstrated an important effect on overweight. Furthermore, we found that the pairwise interaction between various risk factors improved the explanatory power of the prevalence of overweight, with different effects for different age groups and regions. In northern China, the strongest interaction was found between NO2 and SO2 (q = 0.55) for middle-aged individuals and PM2.5 and SO2 (q = 0.27) for the elderly. Conversely, in southern China, middle-aged individuals demonstrated the strongest interaction between SO2 and PM10 (q = 0.60), while the elderly showed the highest interaction between NO2 and O3 (q = 0.42).ConclusionSignificant spatial heterogeneity was observed in the effects of air pollution on overweight. Specifically, air pollution in southern China was found to have a greater impact on overweight than that in northern China. And, the impact of air pollution on middle-aged individuals was more pronounced than on the elderly, with distinct pollutants demonstrating significant variation in their impact. Moreover, we found that SO2 had a greater impact on overweight prevalence among middle-aged individuals, while NO2 had a greater impact on the elderly. Additionally, we identified significant statistically interactions between O3 and other pollutants.

Influence of obesity prevalence on social norms and weight control motivation: a cross-sectional comparison of the Netherlands and the UK

ABSTRACT This cross-sectional survey study explored associations between perceived bodyweight norms, psychological need satisfaction and motivation for weight control among 500 adult residents of two countries with different overweight/obesity prevalence: the UK (63% prevalence) and the Netherlands (50%). A hypothesised model of the effects of descriptive norms (i.e. perceptions of what is typical for most people) and injunctive norms (i.e. perceptions of what is typically approved by others) on autonomous motivation, mediated through basic psychological need satisfaction, was analysed using structural equation modelling. Descriptive norms did not differ between countries, yet UK adults reported a lower-weight injunctive norm. Perceiving higher bodyweights to be normal negatively predicted motivation to manage one’s bodyweight mediated through an undermining effect on psychological need satisfaction. Perceiving higher bodyweights to be normal may have the potential to reduce individual motivation for weight control, but the sensitivity of people’s perceptions to objective differences in overweight prevalence appears limited.

Physical activity rather than sedentary behaviour is socially determined in French adolescents with overweight and obesity

Social differences in prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents, known as the weight social gradient, could be explained by differences in behaviours between social classes. This study examined the respective association of physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviour (SB) and weight status with adolescents' socioeconomic status. We used cross-sectional data for 1935 adolescents (13–18 years old) with overweight or obesity who participated in the PRALIMAP-INÉS (PRomotion de l'ALImentation et de l'Activité Physique - INÉgalités de Santé) trial conducted in northeastern France between 2012 and 2015. Adolescents completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire for PA and SB and the Family Affluence Scale for socioeconomic status. Weight status was assessed by the body mass index (BMI) and BMI z-score. Social gradient of weight status, PA and SB were described according to the Family Affluence Scale (slopes) and evidenced by the linear trend test (p). Adolescents' socioeconomic status was positively associated with PA practice (frequency, vigorous PA and leisure-time PA), but there was no association with their SB. The results confirmed a significant weight social gradient: BMI (β = 0.37, p < .0001) and BMI z-score (β = 0.07, p = .0001). The weight social gradient in adolescents was mostly associated with PA (5.7% to 8.1%) rather than SB (2.7% to 5.7%). Nearly 14% of BMI z-scores could be related to a combined PA and SB effect. PA was found an important factor of weight social gradient in adolescence. Actions aimed at preventing weight social inequalities among adolescents could include PA promotion as lever. Clinical trials registry and numberClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01688453).

Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity among School-Going Children of Aligarh City and Its Association with Socio-Demographic Variables

In India, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in urban areas is comparable with some developing countries. A rapid transition in food practices, lifestyle factors, behavioural factors, physical inactivity and adopting western culture are some of the causes responsible for this problem. Children from small towns are experiencing nutritional changes due to their tendency to try eating pattern of larger cities. Aims and objectives: To study the prevalence of overweight and obesity and related risk factors among school going children of Aligarh city. Materials and methods: A cross - sectional study was done among four schools from four zones of Aligarh city. A total of 900 children studying in classes Ist to Vth were taken in the study. A predesigned and pretested questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic, dietary intake, lifestyle, behavioural factors, physical activity and anthropometric measurements. Results: Overall Prevalence of overweight and obesity was 8.1% and 8.2% among school‑going children. There was a statistically significant difference in prevalence of overweight and obesity among affluent schools (6.1% and 6.7%) and nonaffluent schools (2.0% and 1.6%) respectively was observed. The related risk factors for overweight and obesity were affluence and higher level of father’s education etc. Conclusion: Overweight and obesity among school‑going children is a major problem facing even in smaller cities in India.Interventions must be taken to focus on communicating and educating teachers and parents, especially of the affluent section, towards restricting fast food intake, TV viewing and emphasizing the importance of physical activity.

Prevalence of Overweight and Income Gaps in 245 Districts of Korea: Comparison Using the National Health Screening Database and the Community Health Survey, 2009-2014.

BackgroundWe compared age-standardized overweight prevalence and their income gaps at the level of district in Korea using the National Health Screening Database (NHSD) and the Community Health Survey (CHS).MethodsWe analyzed 39,093,653 subjects in the NHSD and 926,580 individuals in the CHS between 2009 and 2014. For the comparison of body mass index (BMI) distributions, data from 26,100 subjects in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) were also analyzed. We calculated the age-standardized overweight prevalence and its interquintile income gap at the district level. We examined the magnitudes of the between-period correlation for age-standardized overweight prevalence. The differences in overweight prevalence and its income gap between the NHSD and the CHS were also investigated.ResultsThe age-adjusted mean BMI from the CHS was lower than those from the NHSD and the KNHANES. The magnitudes of the between-period correlation for overweight prevalence were greater in the NHSD compared to the CHS. We found that the district-level overweight prevalence in the NHSD were higher in all districts of Korea than in the CHS. The correlation coefficients for income gaps in overweight prevalence between the two databases were relatively low. In addition, when using the NHSD, the district-level income inequalities in overweight were clearer especially among women than the inequalities using the CHS.ConclusionThe relatively large sample size for each district and measured anthropometric data in the NHSD are more likely to contribute to valid and reliable measurement of overweight inequality at the district level in Korea.

Is urban-rural location associated with weight status in school children? An examination of 42 small and rural Californian counties.

Studies have identified geographic variation in overweight and obesity rates among children, with higher rates of overweight and obesity often found among children living in rural compared to urban areas. A small number of studies have explored differences in overweight and obesity based on more nuanced gradations along the urban-rural continuum. The purpose of the present study was to identify differences in overweight and obesity based on gradations along the urban-rural continuum among children in 42 Californian counties with populations less than 500 000. An observational study was conducted using FITNESSGRAM data collected from 5th, 7th and 9th grade students in public schools in California during 2010-2011. The FITNESSGRAM dataset was merged with the 2011 Public Elementary/Secondary School Universe Survey Data from the National Center for Educational Statistics Common Core of Data, which includes an 'urban-centric locale' code for each school, consisting of four broad classifications - city, suburb, town, and rural - each of which is further broken down into three subcategories. Multivariate analyses using a general linear model were conducted to compare differences in body mass index (BMI) between geographic regions of schools (city, suburb, town and rural) as well as 11 urban-centric locale code subcategories; none of the schools were located in large cities. The percentage of students who were overweight and/or obese was compared by grade level, gender, and race/ethnicity across geographic regions using multivariate logistic regression models. Analyses were adjusted for student age, grade, gender, race/ethnicity (African-American, Asian, Hispanic, Indian/Alaskan, White, two or more races or unknown), eligibility for free or reduced price meals, and clustering of students by school. When a stratified analysis was done, the variable of stratification (ie grade, gender, race/ethnicity) was not included among the covariates. When significant differences in BMI or prevalence of overweight or obesity were found between geographic regions, Tukey's method was applied to adjust for multiple comparisons at a 5% procedure-wise error rate. A p-value at or less than 0.05 was used to indicate statistical significance. Students in suburban schools had significantly lower mean BMI and lower prevalence of overweight than students in other geographic areas (p<0.0001). Among 5th and 7th grade students, prevalence of obesity (but not overweight) varied by urban-rural status (p<0.0001, p=0.01, respectively), with 7th grade students in suburbs having lower rates of obesity than those in towns. Among 9th grade students, prevalence of overweight (but not obesity) varied by urban-rural status (p=0.02). Among females, prevalence of overweight and obesity varied (p=0.006, p<0.0001, respectively), with suburbs having lower rates than cities and towns. Among males, prevalence of obesity varied (p<0.0001), with suburbs having lower rates. Among whites, there were differences in prevalence of overweight and obesity by urban-rural status (p=0.01, p <0.0001, respectively). Among Hispanics, the prevalence of obesity varied by urban-rural status (p=0.001). Large suburban areas had the lowest rates of obesity compared to all other subcategories. Students attending schools in suburban, especially larger suburban, areas appear to have lower prevalence of obesity than their peers at schools in other geographic areas. Further research is needed to understand the factors associated with differences in weight status between urban, suburban, town and rural areas.

Effectiveness of a school-based intervention to reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children aged 7-11 years from Poznań (Poland).

The epidemic of obesity, which is one of the most important public health problems, appeared paradoxically as a result of improving living conditions. The aim of this study was to determine the effects on overweight/obesity prevalence of the primary-school-based intervention program. The group of 5,293 children (7-11 year-olds) from Poznań (Poland) was divided into two subgroups: experimental and control one. The research group was participating in extra physical activities. Measurements (height and weight) were taken twice: at baseline and after 1-year follow-up. The estimations of the prevalence of overweight/obesity were based on the cut-off points of the IOTF values. To estimate the risk the odds ratio (OR) were calculated. There were no differences in BMI for both boys and girls. Also there were no significant differences in prevalence of overweight and obesity, for both sexes. The risk of being overweight/obese was not reduced in children in the experimental group - OR for boys was 0.93 (0.80, 1.08), and for girls OR = 0.88 (0.76, 1.03). In conclusion, the risk of overweight/obesity has not changed after one year of extra physical activities and engagement in health-oriented education program. This study shows that in case of such programs it is necessary to apply more intense interventions, probably also during longer period of time. It is possible that other adverse factors have a stronger influence on the body mass, which would suggest that the theoretical part of intervention concerning pro-health-related behaviors was not implemented in practice.

Is small town India falling into the nutritional trap of metro cities? A study in school-going adolescents.

Introduction:There has been an increasing secular trend in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in developing countries. The prevalence reported among children and adolescents of some metro cities in India are comparable to that in some developed countries. Westernization of culture, rapid mushrooming of fast food joints, lack of physical activity, and increasing sedentary pursuits in the metro cities are some of the reasons implicated for this. The nutritional changes in small town school children might be following the same pattern of larger cities.Aims and Objectives:To study the prevalence of overweight and obesity among school-going adolescents of Aligarh and to study the sociodemographic and behavioral correlates of the same.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study done in two affluent and two nonaffluent schools in Aligarh, taking 330 adolescents from each group (total-660). Study tools included a predesigned and pretested questionnaire, Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, and anthropometric measurement. Overweight and obesity were defined based on World Health Organization 2007 Growth Reference. Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis were done.Results:Prevalence of overweight and obesity was 9.8% and 4.8% among school-going adolescents. The difference in prevalence of overweight and obesity among affluent schools (14.8% and 8.2%) and nonaffluent schools (4.8% and 1.5%) was significant. Risk factors for overweight and obesity were affluence, higher maternal education, parental history of obesity, frequent fast food intake, and television (TV) viewing more than 2 h/day.Conclusion:Overweight and obesity among school-going adolescents is a crisis facing even smaller cities in India. Behavior change communication should be focused to adolescents, especially of the affluent section, toward restricting fast food intake, and TV viewing.

Sex differences in prevalence of overweight and obesity, and in extent of overweight index, in children and adolescents (3-18 years) from Kraków, Poland in 1983, 2000 and 2010.

The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity among children is now an important health problem. This fact, however, does not reflect the scale of the problem. The aim of the present study was to find how much the BMI threshold was exceeded in a population from Kraków. The study was based on three cross-sectional surveys conducted in 1983, 2000 and 2010. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was estimated based on the International Obesity Task Force cut-off points. In addition to these, an extent of overweight (EOW) index was calculated. Poland. Children aged 3-18 years (n 14 534) from Kraków. Between the populations examined in 1983 and 2010, the EOW index in boys rose by almost 10 %, and the prevalence of overweight and obesity by 39 %. In girls, however, the EOW index decreased by 45 %, while the prevalence of overweight and obesity remained at similar levels. Analyses in separate age groups showed that the EOW index increased only among early adolescents (150 % for boys, 94 % for girls) and late adolescents (390 % and 64 %, respectively). The observed increased prevalence of overweight and obesity mainly concerned boys and was accompanied by an increase in the amount by which the BMI threshold values were exceeded.

Free school fruit: can an extra piece of fruit every school day contribute to the prevention of future weight gain? A cluster randomized trial

BackgroundSeveral school fruit programs are initiated with the aim to improve diet and thereby contribute to reduce the prevalence of overweight. To date, no published studies have demonstrated that school fruit schemes do prevent overweight.ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to assess if increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, due to free school fruit, have an impact on future weight status.DesignAn intervention study including 10- to 12-year-old children from nine schools in two Norwegian counties (Hedmark and Telemark) participating in the Norwegian School Fruit Program for free during the school year 2001/2002 and children from 29 control schools. Follow-up studies were performed in 2005 and 2009. The cohort includes 1950 pupils (984 boys, 966 girls) at baseline, 1,602 participants in 2005 and 320 participants in the 2009 survey, of which 282 also had participated in 2005.ResultsIn 2005, there was no significant difference between the free fruit group and the control group regarding weight status, Body mass index, or perceived weight status. In 2009, a significant difference in prevalence of overweight was observed (15% vs. 25%, p=0.04). In the crude logistic analysis, the OR for being overweight was 0.52 (95% CI: 0.28–0.97) for the intervention group compared to controls. When adjusting for school, sex, grade level and parental education, the association was no longer statistically significant.ConclusionsThese results indicate that free school fruit might contribute to prevent future excessive weight gain. However, the study results are limited by low participation rate.

Prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade em escolares do município de Feliz, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

Objetivo: Determinar a prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade entre escolares do ensino fundamental no município de Feliz-RS, no ano de 2010. Métodos: Se realizou um censo escolar que incluiu 633 alunos com idades entre 6 e 10 anos, tendo sido feita avaliação antropométrica que incluía peso e altura. Para a classificação de sobrepeso e obesidade, foram utilizados pontos de corte propostos pelo Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2000, sendo considerado sobrepeso um índice de massa corpórea (IMC) entre o percentil 85 e menor que 95 e obesidade um IMC percentil ?95. Resultados: A prevalência de obesidade no grupo foi de 15,9% e o sobrepeso acometeu 15,4% das crianças. Somando-se as duas condições, 31,4% dos escolares estavam acima do peso esperado para a idade e estatura. A prevalência de obesidade foi maior nas faixas etárias de 6 e 7 anos, quando comparada às das crianças de 9 e 10 anos, respectivamente, 23,3% e 8,23% (p&lt;0,001). Meninos e meninas não apresentaram diferença significativamente estatística na prevalência de sobrepeso (15,4% para 15,2%) e obesidade (16,1% para 15,2%), respectivamente. Em relação à localização geográfica, meninos locados em escolas na zona rural do município apresentaram maior prevalência de obesidade quando comparados aos meninos das escolas localizadas na sede do município, respectivamente 22,7% para 13,6% (p=0,036). Conclusão: A obesidade foi significativamente mais prevalente nas crianças de 6 e 7 anos de idade e também nos meninos matriculados nas escolas da zona rural do município.

Weight status of European preschool children and associations with family demographics and energy balance‐related behaviours: a pooled analysis of six European studies

This study aimed to (i) gain insight in the prevalence of overweight indices in European preschoolers (4-7 years); (ii) identify energy balance-related behaviours associated with overweight/obesity; and (iii) identify children at risk for overweight/obesity. Secondary analyses of six European data sets were conducted according to standardized protocols. Based on objectively measured height and weight, prevalence of overweight and obesity across the countries ranged from 8% to 30% and 1% to 13%, respectively, with highest rates in Southern European countries (i.e. Spain and Greece). Positive associations between sedentary behaviours and overweight indices were found. Physical activity and dietary behaviours were not associated, possibly because of methodological limitations. Children of parents with high body mass index or low socioeconomic status were at increased risk of overweight/obesity. In conclusion, large differences in prevalence of overweight and obesity among preschoolers across Europe were observed. Future obesity prevention interventions in preschoolers should target screen time giving specific attention to children from overweight and/or low socioeconomic status parents. There is a need for high methodological quality studies, preferably with a long-term prospective design using sensitive, valid and reliable measures of behaviours, assessing whether and which physical activity and dietary behaviours are associated with overweight in preschoolers.

Comparison of Overweight, Weight Perception, and Weight-Related Practices Among High School Students in Three Large Chinese Cities and Two Large U.S. Cities

The study compared differences in overweight prevalence, weight perception, and weight-related practices among high school students in five large Chinese and U.S. cities, and informed interventions for childhood obesity in China and the U.S. The data used was collected in 2003 from a representative sample of high school students in Hong Kong, Macau, Taipei, New York and Los Angeles. The prevalence of overweight high school students in New York City and Los Angeles was about twice as high as in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taipei; however, the proportion of Chinese students perceiving themselves to be overweight was 15% higher than their U.S. counterparts. Independent of actual weight status, perceived overweight was significantly associated with weight control practices (p < .05). U.S. students showed higher levels of moderate and vigorous physical activity, but more hours of watching television than their Chinese counterparts. The continuing pandemic of overweight among youth fosters weight dissatisfaction, which may increase unhealthy weight control practices. Interventions should be designed to prevent overweight without precipitating unhealthy weight control practices by emphasizing an increase in physical activity and a reduction in time watching television.

Evaluation of Nutritional Status in Turkish Adolescents as Related to Gender and Socioeconomic Status - Original Article

Objective: To evaluate the nutritional status of Turkish high school adolescents using anthropometric indicators and to determine the relationship of nutritional status with gender and socioeconomic status (SES) in adolescents.Methods: Six hundred eighty adolescent students (n=284 males, 396 females) aged 14−18 years were selected from 6 high schools of different regions. Nutritional status was evaluated according to the anthropometric indicators, which were based on the WHO criteria. Adolescents were grouped into three SES categories.Results: The rates of being stunted, underweight, and overweight/obesity were 4.4%, 5.0% and 16.8%, respectively. Height and weight standard deviation scores (SDS) were significantly lower in adolescents with low SES (p<0.05). The frequency of stunting was significantly higher in adolescents with low SES (p=0.012). Frequency of underweight, overweight and obesity did not differ significantly between socioeconomic groups and genders (p>0.05).Conclusion: Adolescents of low SES were shorter and thinner than those of other SES categories. Undernutrition needs to be addressed in low SES. Among all Turkish adolescents, the major nutritional problems were overweight and obesity. There were no SES and gender differences in prevalence of overweight and obesity among the Turkish school adolescents living in urban areas. Prevalence of obesity is rising, regardless of differences in SES and gender, in developing countries too.Conflict of interest:None declared.

Trends in body mass in Swedish adolescents between 2001 and 2007

(1) Compare BMI standard deviation scores (BMIsds) in 16-year olds in 2001 and 2007 to assess trends. (2) Describe tracking of BMIsds between ages 10 and 16 years, in a longitudinal 6-year follow-up. (3) Identify possible predictors in 2001 for high BMIsds in 2007 and increase in BMIsds between 2001 and 2007. A six-year follow-up study on 296 subjects, aged 10 years at baseline and a panel study among 16-year olds. BMIsds was used as the main outcome. RESULTS. No difference in BMIsds in 16-year-old adolescents was found between 2001 and 2007. Strong tracking (r = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.75-0.84) was found for BMIsds between ages 10 and 16 years. Low aerobic capacity and high BMIsds at age 10 years predicted overweight at age 16 years. High BMIsds in 2001 predicted a decline in BMIsds (OR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.43-0.76) and high level of self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity predicted an increased BMIsds (OR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.13-1.67). There was no difference in prevalence of overweight plus obesity between the 2001 and 2007 samples. Normal weight and good aerobic fitness in 10-year-old children seems to decrease the risk of elevated relative BMI in 16-year olds.

Differences in prevalence of overweight and stunting in 11-year olds across Europe: The Pro Children Study

To assess country differences in prevalence of overweight, obesity, underweight and stunting in the Pro Children Survey. A cross-sectional study conducted in a random sample of schools in nine European countries in 2003. The subjects were 8317 11-year-old children from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Iceland, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. Parents reported height and weight of the children, and BMI values were analysed using the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention and the International Obesity Task Force reference populations. Continuous variables were compared with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Games-Howell post hoc tests. Categorical variables were analysed using chi-square tests. The prevalence of overweight + obesity varied between the countries from 8.6% to 30.6% and 5.9% to 26.5%, respectively, depending on the reference population, with the lowest prevalence in Dutch girls, the highest in Portuguese boys. Obesity prevalence varied from 1.1% (Dutch and Danish girls) to 10.7% (Portuguese boys) and from 0.3% (Dutch girls) to 6.2% (Portuguese boys), respectively. Portugal and Spain had the highest prevalence of overweight and obesity for both genders. The ranking of the countries according to overweight and obesity prevalence was roughly the same, independent of reference population. The prevalence of underweight varied from 2.3% (Swedish boys) to 12.3% (Belgian boys), using the American reference population. The proportion of stunted children was highest in Portugal, Spain and Belgium. The highest levels of overweight, obesity and stunting in the pro children material are found in Portugal and Spain.

Preventing childhood obesity: two year follow-up results from the Christchurch obesity prevention programme in schools (CHOPPS)

Objective To assess the long term effects of an obesity prevention programme in schools.Design Longitudinal results after a cluster randomised controlled trial.Setting Schools in southwest England.Participants Of the original sample...

Prevalence of overweight and obesity in rural and urban settings of 10 European countries

Objectives. First to explore differences in prevalence of overweight and obesity between rural and urban areas of 10 European countries, then to determine whether body mass index varies with the countries' gross domestic product. Methods. We used baseline data (2004) from countries participating in the Study of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe, which included 16,695 non-institutionalized individuals aged 50–79 years with body mass index ≥ 18.5 kg/m 2. Height and weight were self-reported and body mass index categorized as normal weight (18.5–24.9 kg/m 2), overweight (25.0–29.9 kg/m 2) and obesity (≥ 30 kg/m 2). Weighted prevalences of overweight and obesity in rural and urban areas were estimated, and logistic regressions performed to investigate the association between rural residence and body mass index, adjusting for age, sex, household income and education. Spearman's correlation examined the relationship between body mass index and gross domestic product. Results. We found no differences in the prevalence of overweight and obesity between rural and urban areas. Separate analysis by gender, age, education or income level did not reveal additional rural–urban variations. Body mass index was slightly higher when gross domestic product was lower. Conclusions. Programs aimed at preventing or managing overweight and obesity in the 50–79 years age range should be addressed to residents of both rural and urban areas, but tailored to their specific characteristics.

Burden of overweight in Germany: prevalence differences between former East and West German children

Given the increasing prevalence of childhood overweight, we aimed to quantify the population burden and evaluate potential regional differences in anthropometric characteristics and prevalence of overweight in fourth graders in two German cities. Data were analysed from a cross-sectional school-based study conducted in 1995-96 in Dresden (former East Germany) and Munich (former West Germany) as part of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood. Height and weight of the children were measured, and the parents completed a questionnaire. 2474 children age 9-10 years provided anthropometric data. Overweight was defined based on the age-specific and gender-specific international cut-off values for body mass index. Dresden children were on average 1.2 kg lighter and >1 cm taller than their Munich peers. The prevalence of overweight in Dresden was 15.2% in girls and 14.2% in boys compared with 24 and 22.2%, respectively, in Munich. Differences were observed between Dresden and Munich with respect to the proportion of children of non-German nationality, household smoking, breastfeeding practices, and individual dietary behaviours. Even in combination these factors were not able to explain entirely the between-city overweight differences. A substantial proportion of pre-adolescent children in Germany is now considered overweight with marked regional differences in prevalence. Comparison of population-level factors indicate that other unmeasured determinants of overweight may be responsible for the marked differences in the prevalence of overweight.

Major differences in prevalence of overweight according to nationality in preschool children living in Germany: determinants and public health implications

Aims: To investigate the prevalence of overweight according to nationality in preschool children living in Germany, and to establish the determinants responsible for differences in body mass index. Methods: The...