Trends in Waist Circumference among U.S. Adults

Objective: Waist circumference has been proposed as a measure of obesity or as an adjunct to other anthropometric measures to determine obesity. Our objective was to examine temporal trends in waist circumference among adults in the U.S. Research Methods and Procedures: We used data from 15, 454 participants ≥20 years old in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III (1988 to 1994) and 4024 participants ≥20 years old from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999 to 2000. Results: The unadjusted waist circumference increased from 95.3 (age‐adjusted, 96.0 cm) to 98.6 (age‐adjusted, 98.9 cm) cm among men and from 88.7 (age‐adjusted 88.9 cm) to 92.2 (age‐adjusted 92.1 cm) cm among women. The percentiles from the two surveys suggest that much of the waist circumference distribution has shifted. Statistically significant increases occurred among all age groups and racial or ethnic groups except men 30 to 59 years old, women 40 to 59 and ≥70 years old, and women who were Mexican American or of “other” race or ethnicity. Discussion: These results demonstrate the rapid increase in obesity, especially abdominal obesity, among U.S. adults. Unless measures are taken to slow the increase in or reverse the course of the obesity epidemic, the burden of obesity‐associated morbidity and mortality in the U.S. can be expected to increase substantially in future years.     

Appropriate Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference Cutoff for Overweight and Central Obesity among Adults in Cambodia

Background

Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) are used in risk assessment for the development of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) worldwide. Within a Cambodian population, this study aimed to identify an appropriate BMI and WC cutoff to capture those individuals that are overweight and have an elevated risk of vascular disease.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We used nationally representative cross-sectional data from the STEP survey conducted by the Department of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health, Cambodia in 2010. In total, 5,015 subjects between age 25 and 64 years were included in the analyses. Chi-square, Fisher’s Exact test and Student t-test, and multiple logistic regression were performed. Of total, 35.6% (n = 1,786) were men, and 64.4% (n = 3,229) were women. Mean age was 43.0 years (SD = 11.2 years) and 43.6 years (SD = 10.9 years) for men and women, respectively. Significant association of subjects with hypertension and hypercholesterolemia was found in those with BMI ≥23.0 kg/m² and with WC >80.0 cm in both sexes. The Area Under the Curve (AUC) from Receiver Operating Characteristic curves was significantly greater in both sexes (all p-values <0.001) when BMI of 23.0 kg/m² was used as the cutoff point for overweight compared to that using WHO BMI classification for overweight (BMI ≥25.0 kg/m²) for detecting the three cardiovascular risk factors. Similarly, AUC was also significantly higher in men (p-value <0.001) when using WC of 80.0 cm as the cutoff point for central obesity compared to that recommended by WHO (WC ≥94.0 cm in men).

Conclusion

Lower cutoffs for BMI and WC should be used to identify of risks of hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia for Cambodian aged between 25 and 64 years.     

Comparing Trends in BMI and Waist Circumference

The nature of excess body weight may be changing over time to one of greater central adiposity. The aim of this study is to determine whether BMI and waist circumference (WC) are increasing proportionately among population subgroups and the range of bodyweight, and to examine the public health implications of the findings. Our data are from two cross‐sectional surveys (the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Studies (NHANES) in 1988–1994 (NHANES III) and 2005–2006), from which we have used samples of 15,349 and 4,176 participants aged ≥20 years. Between 1988–1994 and 2005–2006 BMI increased by an average of 1.8 kg/m² and WC by 4.7 cm (adjusted for sex, age, race‐ethnicity, and education). The increase in WC was more than could be attributed simply to increases in BMI. This independent increase in WC (of on average, 0.9 cm) was consistent across the different BMI categories, sexes, education levels, and race‐ethnicity groups. It occurred in younger but not older age groups. Overall in each BMI category, the prevalence of low‐risk WC decreased and the prevalence of increased‐risk or substantially increased‐risk WC increased. These results suggest that the adverse health consequences associated with obesity may be increasingly underestimated by trends in BMI alone. Since WC is closely linked to adverse cardiovascular outcomes, it is important to know the prevailing trends in both of these parameters.     

Relationship of BMI,Waist Circumference,and Weight Change with Use of Health Services by Older Adults

Objective: To examine the relationship of BMI, waist circumference (WC), and weight change with use of health care services by older adults. Research Methods and Procedures: This was a prospective cohort study conducted from 2001 to 2003 among 2919 persons representative of the non‐institutionalized Spanish population ≥60 years of age. Analyses were performed using logistic regression, with adjustment for age, educational level, size of place of residence, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and presence of chronic disease. Results: Obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) and abdominal obesity (WC >102 cm in men and >88 cm in women) in 2001 were associated with greater use of certain health care services among men and women in the period 2001–2003. Compared with women with WC ≤ 88 cm, women with abdominal obesity were more likely to visit primary care physicians [odds ratio (OR): 1.36; 95% confidence limit (CL): 1.06–1.73] and receive influenza vaccination (OR: 1.30; 95% CL: 1.03–1.63). Weight gain was not associated with greater health service use by either sex, regardless of baseline BMI. Weight loss was associated with greater health service use by obese and non‐obese subjects of both sexes. In comparison with those who reported no important weight change, non‐obese women who lost weight were more likely to visit hospital specialists (OR: 1.45; 95% CL: 1.02–2.06), receive home medical visits (OR: 1.61; 95% CL: 1.06–2.45), be hospitalized (OR: 1.88; 95% CL: 1.29–2.74), and have more than one hospital admission (OR: 2.31; 95% CL: 1.19–4.47). Discussion: Obesity and weight loss are associated with greater health service use among the elderly.     

Prevalence of Overweight,Obesity, and Abdominal Obesity in a Representative Sample of Portuguese Adults

This study determined the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and abdominal obesity in the Portuguese adults and examined the relationship between above mentioned prevalences and educational level. Body mass, stature, and waist circumference were measured in a representative sample of the Portuguese population aged 18–103 years (n = 9,447; 18–64 years: n = 6,908; ≥65 years: n = 2,539). Overweight and obesity corresponded to a body mass index ranging between 25–29.9 kg/m² and ≥30 kg/m², respectively. Abdominal obesity was assessed as >102 cm for males and >88 cm for females. After adjusting for educational level, the combined prevalences of overweight and obesity were 66.6% in males and 57.9% in females (18–64 years). Respective values in older adults (≥65 years) were 70.4% for males and 74.7% for females. About 19.3% of adult males and 37.9% of adult females presented abdominal obesity. Correspondent values in older adults were 32.1%, for males, and 69.7%, for females. In adults, low educational level was related to an increased risk for overweight (OR = 2.54; 95% CI: 2.08–3.09), obesity (OR = 2.76; 95% CI: 2.20–3.45), and abdominal obesity (OR = 5.48; 95% CI: 4.60–6.52). This reinforces the importance of adjusting public health strategies for educational level.     

Prevalence and Patterns of Chronic Disease Pairs and Multimorbidity among Older Chinese Adults Living in a Rural Area

Background

The burden of chronic diseases in China is substantial now. Data on patterns of chronic diseases and multimorbidity among older adults, especially among those living in rural areas, are sparse.

Objective

We aim to investigate the prevalence and patterns of chronic disease pairs and multimorbidity in elderly people living in rural China.

Methods

This population-based study included 1480 adults aged 60 years and over (mean age 68.5 years, 59.4% women) living in a rural community. Data were derived from the Confucius Hometown Aging Project in Shandong, China (June 2010-July 2011). Chronic diseases were diagnosed through face-to-face interviews, clinical examinations, and laboratory tests. Patterns of chronic disease pairs and multimorbidity were explored using logistic regression and exploratory factor analyses.

Results

The prevalence of individual chronic diseases ranged from 3.0% for tumor to 76.4% for hypertension, and each disease was often accompanied with three or more other chronic diseases. The observed prevalence of pairs of chronic conditions exceeded the expected prevalence for several conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders, as well as pulmonary diseases and degenerative disorders. Chronic multimorbidity (≥2 chronic diseases) affected more than 90% of subjects, and two patterns of chronic multimorbidity were identified: cardiopulmonary-mental-degenerative disorder pattern (overall prevalence, 58.2%), and cerebrovascular-metabolic disorder pattern (62.6%). Prevalence of the cardiopulmonary-mental-degenerative disorder pattern increased with age, and was higher in men than women; whereas prevalence of the cerebrovascular-metabolic disorder pattern was higher in women than in men but did not vary by age.

Conclusion

Chronic multimorbidity was highly prevalent among older Chinese adults living in rural areas, and there were specific patterns of the co-occurrence of chronic diseases. Effort is needed to identify possible preventative strategies based on the potential clustering of chronic diseases.     

Secular Trends in Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity among Adults in Rural Tianjin,China from 1991 to 2011: A Population-Based Study

Objectives

Obesity is associated with cardiovascular diseases and has become the main public health issue in western countries and urban China. However, the prevalence and secular trends of obesity in rural China are currently unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate secular trends in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among rural adults in northern China between 1991 and 2011.

Method

The prevalence of overweight and obesity was assessed in adults aged 35–74 years living in a rural area in northern China by comparing two surveys that were conducted in 1991 and 2011, respectively.

Result

The age-adjusted prevalence of overweight increased from 24.5% in 1991 to 42.0% in 2011, and the prevalence of obesity increased from 5.7% in 1991 to 19.6% in 2011. Over the 21-year period, there were significant increases in the prevalence of overweight and obesity for both men and women in all age groups; however, the greatest increase was observed in men aged 35–44 years, with an 10.3-fold increase in obesity prevalence. The prevalence of obesity increased significantly in all risk factors categories, including education levels, blood pressure categories, diabetes previous history, current smoking situation and alcohol drinking situation over the past 21 years overall (p<0.05). The greatest increase in obesity prevalence appeared among those who consumed alcohol (increased by 8.0-fold). Next, there was a 5.3-fold increase in the prevalence of obesity in illiterate residents.

Conclusion

The prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased rapidly among rural adults in Tianjin over the past 21 years, with the most dramatic increase observed in young men. Therefore, the burden of obesity should serve as a call for action.     

BMI and Waist Circumference as Predictors of Well‐being in Older Adults: Findings From the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

The aim of this study is to examine the association of BMI and waist circumference (WC), with a quality of life (QoL) indicator designed for older ages (CASP19), and with depressive symptoms (Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale). We included 8,688 individuals aged ≥52 years who participants of Wave 2 (2004–2005) and Wave 3 (2006–2007) of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). To explore cross‐sectional relationships (2004–2005), we fitted regression models for BMI and WC (included simultaneously) as our predictors of QoL and depressive symptoms adjusted for covariates. To explore longitudinal relationships, BMI and waist at baseline (2004–2005) were related to the each outcome variable measured at follow‐up (2006–2007), and adjusted for baseline characteristics (2004–2005). For a given BMI, larger WC was associated with lower QoL and higher risk of depressive symptoms for women in cross‐sectional and longitudinal analyses. By contrast for a given WC increased BMI for women was positively associated with QoL and lower odds of depressive symptoms. In men, for a given BMI, increased WC was related to QoL only cross‐sectionally; neither WC nor BMI at baseline were associated with depressive symptoms (cross‐sectionally or longitudinally). In conclusion among older people, for a given BMI, increased WC was related with higher risk of poor QoL and, for women, of depressive symptoms; whereas for a given WC, increased BMI had a protective effect on QoL for women.     

Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity and Weight Loss Practice among Beijing Adults, 2011

Objective

This study aims to determine the up-to-date prevalence of overweight and obesity, the distributions of body weight perception and weight loss practice in Beijing adults.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2011. A total of 2563 men and 4088 women aged 18–79 years from the general population were included. Data were obtained from questionnaire and physical examination.

Results

The prevalence of overweight (BMI 24–27.9 kg/m²) and obesity (BMI≥28 kg/m²) was 42.1% and 20.3% in men and 35.6% and 17.1% in women, respectively. Age was inversely associated with overweight in both sexes, and obesity in women. Education level was negatively associated with overweight and obesity in women but not in men. Only 49.1% men and 58.3% women had a correct perception of their body weight. Underestimation of body weight was more common than overestimation, especially in men, the older people, and those with low education level. The percentage of taking action to lose weight was inversely associated with men and old age, and positively associated with higher education level, higher BMI, and self-perception as “fat” (OR = 3.78 in men, OR = 2.91 in women). Only 26.1% of overweight/obese individuals took action to lose weight. The top two weight loss practices were to reduce the amount of food intake and exercise.

Conclusion

Overweight and obesity were highly prevalent with high incorrect body weight perceptions in the general adult population in Beijing. Weight loss practice was poor in overweight and obese individuals. Actions at multiple levels are needed to slow or control this overweight and obesity epidemic.     

DXA‐derived Abdominal Fat Mass,Waist Circumference,and Blood Lipids in Postmenopausal Women

The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA)‐derived fat mass indices for predicting blood lipid profile in postmenopausal women. A secondary purpose was to determine whether waist circumference is comparable with DXA‐derived measurements in predicting blood lipid profile. Subjects were 423 postmenopausal women (age 58.1 ± 6.3 years). Fat mass was assessed at abdomen, trunk, and total body using DXA. Anthropometric measurements included BMI and waist circumference. Blood samples were analyzed for total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TAG), high‐density lipoprotein (HDL), low‐density lipoprotein (LDL), and cholesterol/HDL ratio. Of the DXA‐derived measures, abdominal‐fat mass was the best predictor of blood lipid profiles. DXA‐derived abdominal fat mass and waist girth explained 20 and 16.5% of variation in TC/HDL ratio, respectively, in univariate analysis, with no difference between the slopes of the regression coefficients. Eighty‐four percent of subjects were common to the top quartiles of waist circumference and abdominal fat mass, and blood lipid profiles generally worsened across increasing quartiles. DXA‐derived abdominal fat mass and waist circumference are of equivalent utility for predicting alterations in blood lipids. Waist circumference is, therefore, ideal as an inexpensive means in primary health‐care services for predicting risk of cardiovascular diseases in postmenopausal women.     

Fitness Alters the Associations of BMI and Waist Circumference with Total and Abdominal Fat

Objective: We tested the following hypotheses in black and white men and women: 1) for a given BMI or waist circumference (WC), individuals with moderate cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) have lower amounts of total fat mass and abdominal subcutaneous and visceral fat compared with individuals with low CRF; and 2) exercise training is associated with significant reductions in total adiposity and abdominal fat independent of changes in BMI or WC. Research Methods and Procedures: The sample included 366 sedentary male (111 blacks and 255 whites) and 462 sedentary female (203 blacks and 259 whites) participants in the HERITAGE Family Study. The relationships between BMI and WC with total fat mass (determined by underwater weighing) and abdominal subcutaneous and visceral fat (determined by computed tomography) were compared in subjects with low (lower 50%) and moderate (upper 50%) CRF. The effects of a 20‐week aerobic exercise training program on changes in these adiposity variables were examined in 86% of the subjects. Results: Individuals with moderate CRF had lower levels of total fat mass and abdominal subcutaneous and visceral fat than individuals with low CRF for a given BMI or WC value. The 20‐week aerobic exercise program was associated with significant reductions in total adiposity and abdominal fat, even after controlling for reductions in BMI and WC. With few exceptions, these observations were true for both men and women and blacks and whites. Discussion: These findings suggest that a reduction in total adiposity and abdominal fat may be a means by which CRF attenuates the health risk attributable to obesity as determined by BMI and WC.     

Obesity and Its Relationship with Hypertension among Adults 50 Years and Older in Jinan,China

Background

The relationship between obesity and hypertension varies with geographical area, race and definitions of obesity. Our study aimed to investigate the prevalence of obesity using standard Chinese criteria based on the body mass index (BMI) and the waist circumference (WC) and to examine the association between obesity and hypertension among middle-aged and elderly people in Jinan city.

Methods

This cross-sectional study examined 1,870 subjects from the blocks randomly selected from among the 6 communities of Jinan, China in 2011–2012. The Student''s t-test was used to compare numerical data, and the χ² test was used to compare categorical data. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the effects of general and central obesity on hypertension after adjusting for age or for education level, smoking, alcohol consumption, and continuous age.

Results

The prevalence of general obesity among people age 50 years and older was 21.1% (17.0% for males and 23.1% for females), and the prevalence of central obesity was 77.8% for men and 78.7% for women. For men, compared with a normal BMI, the ORs and 95% CIs for overweight and general obesity were 1.853 (1.252, 2.744) and 3.422 (1.894, 6.182), respectively, after adjusting for age, smoking, alcohol consumption and educational level. Compared with a normal WC, the ORs and 95% CIs for central obesity were 2.334 (1.573, 3.465) and 2.318 (1.544, 3.479), respectively, for men. For women, compared with a normal BMI, the ORs and 95% CIs were 1.942 (1.473, 2.599) and 4.011 (2.817, 5.712), respectively, after adjusting for age, smoking, alcohol consumption and educational level. Compared with a normal WC, the ORs and 95% CIs for central obesity were 2.488 (1.865, 3.319) and 2.379 (1.773, 3.192), respectively, for women.

Conclusions

The relationship between hypertension and general obesity was stronger than the relationship between hypertension and either overweight or central obesity in both genders.     

BMI,Waist Circumference,and Mortality According to Health Status in the Older Adult Population of Spain

Among the explanations proposed for the weak and inconsistent association between BMI and mortality in the elderly are the lack of adjustment for waist circumference (WC) and that the association varies with health status. This work examines the independent association of BMI and WC with mortality in older adults, and the influence of health status on this association. A cohort of 3,536 persons representative of the Spanish population aged ≥60 years was selected in 2000 and 2001, and followed prospectively until 2007. The analyses were performed with Cox models and adjusted for the main confounders. During follow‐up, 659 persons died (18.6% of the cohort). Before adjusting for WC, mortality in the upper quartile of BMI was 15% lower than in the lower quartile (hazard ratio (HR): 0.85; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.66–1.08; P for linear trend = 0.076). After adjusting for WC, the association was even stronger, so that mortality in the upper quartile of BMI was 37% lower than in the lower quartile (HR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.45–0.88; P for linear trend < 0.003). Before adjusting for BMI, no association was observed between WC and mortality. After adjusting for BMI, WC was positively associated with mortality (HR for upper vs. lower quartile of WC: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.07–2.05; P for linear trend = 0.008). These associations were mainly observed in those with limitations in mobility and agility. BMI has an inverse, and WC has a direct, independent association with mortality in older adults, particularly in those with worse health status.     

Appropriate Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference Cutoffs for Categorization of Overweight and Central Adiposity among Uighur Adults in Xinjiang

Objective

The current overweight and central adiposity guidelines based on Western populations were not consistent with many studied based on the Asian populations. Uighur people live in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region which is located in the center of Asia. Their overweight and central cutoffs were largely unknown. We aimed to identify cutoffs for body mass index (BMI; in kg/m²) and waist circumference (WC; in cm) for categorization of overweight and central adiposity among Uighur adults in Xinjiang.

Methods

4767 Uighur participants were selected from the Cardiovascular Risk Survey (CRS) which was carried out from October 2007 to March 2010. The age of the participants were from 35 to 101 years old with the mean age of 50.09 years. Anthropometric data, blood pressure, serum concentration of serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and fasting glucose were documented. The prevalence, sensitivity, specificity and distance on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of each BMI and waist circumference values were calculated.

Results

The prevalence of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia were higher with higher BMI for both men and women. The prevalence of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia were higher with higher waist circumference for both men and women. In women, the prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia was noticed to increase as the waist circumference increased. The shortest distance in the receiver operating characteristic curves for hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, or ≥ 2 of these risk factors suggested a BMI cutoff of 26 and a waist circumference cutoff of 90 cm for both men and women.

Conclusions

Higher cutoffs for BMI and waist circumference are needed in the identification of Uighur patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease.     

Ethnic Differences in Prevalence of General Obesity and Abdominal Obesity among Low-Income Rural Kazakh and Uyghur Adults in Far Western China and Implications in Preventive Public Health

Background

The global pandemic of obesity has become a disastrous public health issue that needs urgent attention. Previous studies have concentrated in high-income urban settings and few cover low-income rural settings especially nomadic residents in mountain areas. This study focused on low-income rural and nomadic minority people residing in China’s far west and investigated their prevalence and ethnic differences of obesity.

Methods

A questionnaire-based survey and physical examination of 8,036 individuals were conducted during 2009–2010, using stratified cluster random sampling method in nomadic Kazakhs and rural Uyghur residents (≥18 years old) in 18 villages, Xinjiang, China, about 4,407 km away from capital Beijing. Obesity was defined by BMI and WC.

Results

The overall prevalence of general and abdominal obesity in Kazakh adults were 18.3% and 60.0%, respectively and in Uyghur, 7.6% and 54.5%, respectively. Female’s prevalence of obesity was higher than male’s for general obesity (45–54 age group in Uyghur, P = 0.041) and abdominal obesity (≥55 years in Kazakhs, P_55∼ = 0.010, P_65∼ =0.001; and ≥18 years in Uyghurs, P<0.001). Kazakh’s prevalence of obesity was higher than Uyghur’s (general obesity: ≥35 years, P<0.001; abdominal obesity: ≥25 years in males and ≥65 years in females, P<0.01). The prevalence of obesity increased after 18 years old and subsequently decreased after 55 years old. Meat consumption, older age, and female gender had a higher risk of obesity in these two minorities.

Conclusions

Both general and abdominal obesity were common in rural ethnic Kazakhs and Uyghurs. The prevalence rates were different in these two minorities depending on ethnicity, gender, and age. Kazakhs, females and elderly people may be prioritized in prevention of obesity in western China. Because of cost-effectiveness in measuring BMI and WC, we recommend that BMI and WC be integrated into local preventive policies in public health toward screening obesity and related diseases in low-income rural minorities.     

Gender‐ethnic Disparity in BMI and Waist Circumference Distribution Shifts in US Adults

While obesity has been increasing in the United States, little is known about the variation in recent BMI and waist circumference (WC) distribution shifts across socio‐demographic groups. We assessed shifts in BMI and WC distributions and compared between‐group differences over the past decade, and projected future BMI and WC distributions and prevalence of obesity and central obesity using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1988–1994 and 1999–2004 data. BMI/WC distributional shifts overall and in percentiles were compared across groups. Average yearly shift was calculated and used for projecting future distributions and prevalence. Both BMI and WC increased more in their uppermost percentile distribution, though BMI shift declined toward the uppermost percentiles among women. Heavier Americans gained more adiposity over the past decade. Ethnic (non‐Hispanic (NH) white vs. black) disparities in mean BMI and WC became wider. Over the survey period, mean BMI increased by 1.3 units vs. 1.8 units among men and women, whereas WC, by 4.2 cm vs. 4.8 cm. Young adults had the largest increase. Shift in women's WC was stable between the 25th and 75th percentiles, but gained pace at higher WC, while women's BMI and men's BMI and WC shifts increased linearly. NH black women had the largest shifts and would have central obesity and obesity prevalence of 90.8 and 70.7% by 2020. Shifts in BMI and WC distribution varied across age‐, gender‐, and ethnic groups. Future rise in the obesity and central obesity prevalence rates are expected, but would vary by demographic groups.     

Prevalence and Correlates of Physical Inactivity among Older Adults in Rio Grande do Sul,Brazil

BackgroundCurrent information on the epidemiology of physical inactivity among older adults is lacking, making it difficult to target the inactive and to plan for interventions to ameliorate adverse effects.ObjectivesTo present statewide representative findings on the prevalence of physical inactivity among older community residents, its correlates and associated health service use.MethodsA representative non-institutionalized random sample of 6963 individuals in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, aged ≥60 years, was interviewed face-to-face. Information was obtained on demographic characteristics, social resources, health conditions and behaviors, health service use, and physical inactivity. Controlled logistic regression was used to determine the association of physical inactivity with these characteristics.ResultsOverall, 62% reported no regular physical activity. Physical inactivity was significantly more prevalent among women, older persons, those with lower education and income, Afro-Brazilians (73%; White: 61%; “other”: 64%), those no longer married, and was associated with multiple individual health conditions and impaired activities of daily living (ADL). In adjusted analyses, associations remained for sociodemographic characteristics, social participation, impaired self-rated health, ADL, vision, and depression (odds ratios (OR) 1.2–1.7). Physically inactive respondents were less likely to report outpatient visits (OR 0.81), but more likely to be hospitalized (OR 1.41).ConclusionsPhysical inactivity is highly prevalent, particularly among Afro -Brazilians. It is associated with adverse sociodemographic characteristics; lack of social interaction; and poor self-rated health, ADL, vision, and depression; although not with other health conditions. Self-care may be neglected, resulting in hospitalization.     

Major Increase in Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity between 1987 and 2001 among Danish Adults

Objective: The aim of the study was to examine the secular trends in the prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m²) and overweight (25.0 ≤ BMI < 30.0 kg/m²) in Danish adults between 1987 and 2001. Research Methods and Procedures: The study included self‐reported weight and height of 10, 094 men and 9897 women 16 to 98 years old, collected in a series of seven independent cross‐sectional surveys. Prevalence and changes in prevalence of obesity and overweight stratified by sex and age groups were determined Results: The prevalence of obesity more than doubled between 1987 and 2001, in men from 5.6% to 11.8% [odds ratio (OR) = 2.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.9 to 2.8, p < 0.0001] and in women from 5.4% to 12.5% (OR = 2.6, 95% CI = 2.1 to 3.2, p < 0.0001), with the largest increase among the 16‐ to 29‐year‐old subjects (men, from 0.8% to 7.5%, OR = 10.2, 95% CI = 4.1 to 25.3, p < 0.0001; women, from 1.4% to 9.0% OR = 7.0, 95% CI = 3.5 to 14.1, p < 0.0001). Between 1987 and 2001, the prevalence of overweight increased from 34% to 40% in men and from 17% to 27% in women. Discussion: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in Denmark has increased substantially between 1987 and 2001, particularly among young adults, a development that resembles that of other countries. There is clearly a need for early preventive efforts in childhood to limit the number of obesity‐related complications in young adults.