Factors associated with overweight and obesity among Kuwaiti kindergarten female teachers

Levels of overweight and obesity among Kuwaiti women are high, and the objective of this study was to explore factors that may be responsible. A sample of 461 Kuwaiti kindergarten female teachers was studied; weight and height were measured, and the classification of overweight or obese taken as having a Body Mass Index of 25-30 or >30, respectively. This revealed that 41.2 and 19.7% of the teachers were overweight or obese, respectively. Factors found to be significantly associated with overweight and obesity among the teachers included age, marital status, parents living at home, subjects' parental obesity, number of obese relatives, exercise, last dental check-up and dental status.     

Factors associated with overweight and obesity among Kuwaiti kindergarten children aged 3-5 years

The purpose of the study was to investigate factors associated with overweight and obesity among Kuwaiti children aged 3-5 years. A cross-sectional sample of 3473 pupils (1748 boys and 1725 girls) was selected for the study from kindergartens using a multi-stage random sampling technique. Overweight and obesity were defined as weight-for-height (W/H) > or = 90th-< 95th and > or = 95th centiles of the NCHS/CDC reference population, respectively. Questionnaires were used to obtain information about birth order, parents' education and occupation, family income, number of servants, eating habits, grandparents and number of persons living at home, number of siblings, socioeconomic status (SES), which was based on parents' education and occupation, family income, area of residence and number of servants. Weight and height were measured and the pupils' dental status was assessed. Factors that were found to be significantly associated with overweight and obesity were gender, age, region (governorate), parents' education, birth order, dental status, eating regular meals and SES. Factors that were significantly associated with overweight and obesity males were age, governorate eating regular meals, number of persons living at home and SES. Among females these factors were governorate, dental status, number of servants and SES. The logistic regression analysis showed that the same factors shared by both genders significantly contributed to the development of overweight and obesity except father's education. This study concludes that ecological factors play an important role in the development of overweight and obesity, especially those related to affluence; Kuwait has been undergoing modernization and increasing affluence and changes to sedentary lifestyle and increased food consumption may have contributed to changes in overweight and obesity among the children.     

Prevalence of coronary risk factors in healthy adult Kuwaitis

Obesity has been shown to be a serious health risk and is associated with a wide range of comorbid conditions, including diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease (CHD), gall bladder disease, hypertension, osteoarthritis, and certain cancers. Studies in Kuwait and other Gulf States indicate that obesity is prevalent and may be increasing. Previous studies in Kuwait have mostly focused on the epidemiology of overweight and obesity in children, adolescents, and young adults. Relatively less is known about the prevalence of overweight and obesity and its correlates in older adults for whom obesity may be more closely related to CHD risk. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in 9755 adult men and women and to determine the relationship of weight to other risk factors for chronic disease. For the first time we examine a sample of older Kuwaitis to explore the relationship between high BMI, hypercholesterolemia and hyperglycemia. One-third of adult Kuwaitis are obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2), 4.7% of Kuwaiti females have severe obesity (BMI > 40 kg/m2). BMI, cholesterol, and glucose values increase with age across the life span. Older Kuwaitis have a greater constellation of risk factors for chronic diseases. The results of a multiple linear regression model in which cholesterol values were studied, controlling for age, BMI, blood glucose, and sex revealed that age, BMI and sex were significant predictors of cholesterol values. These results indicate that actions to reduce obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and hyperglycemia are needed.     

Parental obesity, lifestyle factors and obesity in preschool children: results of the Toyama Birth Cohort study

The aim of this study was to clarify the impact of parental obesity and lifestyle factors on obesity in preschool children. The subjects consisted of 8941 children aged 3 years, born in 1989. Anthropometric measurements and questionnaire surveys were conducted between 1992 and 1994. Subjects of body mass index (BMI; (weight (kg))/(height (m))2) more than the age- and sex-specific centiles linked to adult overweight were defined as obese subjects. Parental obesity was defined as BMI of 25 kg/m2 or more. Logistic regression analysis was performed to clarify the strengths of parental and lifestyle factors on childhood obesity, adjusted for possible confounding factors. Odds ratios (ORs) of paternal and maternal obesity for childhood obesity were 1.70(1.43-2.02) and 2.56(2.07-3.17), respectively. There was a dose-response relationship between short sleeping hours and obesity. Compared to subjects taking 11 hours sleep or more, the adjusted OR was 1.20(0.97-1.49) for those taking 10 to 11 hours sleep, 1.34(1.05-1.72) for those taking 9 to 10 hours sleep, and 1.57(0.90-2.75) for those taking less than 9 hours sleep. Eating and exercising habits were not significantly associated with obesity. These results indicate that parental obesity and short sleeping hours are possible risk factors for obesity in preschool children.     

Risk factors for overweight and obesity among Thai adults: results of the National Thai Food Consumption Survey

We evaluated the associations between overweight and obesity and socio-economic status (SES), behavioral factors, and dietary intake in Thai adults. A nationally representative sample of 6,445 Thais adults (18-70 years) was surveyed during 2004-2005. Information including demographics, SES characteristics, dietary intake, and anthropometrics were obtained. Overall, 35.0% of men, and 44.9% of women were overweight or obese (BMI ≥ 23 kg/m2) using the Asian cut-points. Regression models demonstrated that age was positively associated with being overweight in both genders. In gender-stratified analyses, male respondents who were older, lived in urban areas, had higher annual household income, and did not smoke were more likely to be classified as overweight and obese. Women who were older, had higher education, were not in a marriage-like relationship and were in semi-professional occupation were at greater risk for being overweight and obese. High carbohydrate and protein intake were found to be positively associated with BMI whereas the frequent use of dairy foods was found to be negatively associated with BMI among men. The present study found that SES factors are associated with being classified as overweight and obese in Thai adults, but associations were different between genders. Health promotion strategies regarding obesity and its related co-morbidity are necessary.     

1992至2002年北京大学社区队列人群体质指数的变化

目的 对比1992年和2002年北京大学社区队列人群体质指数、超重率、肥胖率10年间的变化,进一步探讨个体体质指数的变化特点。方法 1992年采用分层随机抽样的方法抽取北京大学社区35～64岁人群中的1985人进行基线调查,通过体检和问卷调查获得队列人群的个体相关资料,经过长期的心血管疾病随访研究,于2002年对此队列人群进行第2次体检和问卷调查,对2次调查资料均完整的1437人进行分析。结果 (1)10年间男性体重平均增加了4．89kg,女性增加了3．08kg;体质指数(BMI)均值男性由10年前的23．49kg／m^2上升到10年后的25．22kg／m^2,女性由10．年前的23．30kg／m^2上升到10年后的25．02kg／m^2。(2)10年间男性超重率、肥胖率分别增长了47．8％和124．2％,女性则分别增长了29．5％和131．3％。(3)男性10年前超重者中有74．9％的人10年后仍超重,22．9％的人变成肥胖;肥胖者中85．7％的人10年后仍肥胖。女性10年前超重者中58．2％的人10年后仍超重,34．5％的人变成肥胖;肥胖者中93．7％的人10年后仍肥胖。结论北京大学社区队列人群10年间。BMI均值、超重率和肥胖率均有所增加。10年前基线BMI为超重或肥胖者中的大部分人10年后仍为超重或肥胖,恢复为正常者很少,而且BMI超重者比BMI正常者更容易变成肥胖,这说明超重或肥胖一旦形成则很难恢复。因此,控制超重和肥胖的关键在于早期预防。     

Social class, family, and life-style factors associated with overweight and obesity among adults in Peruvian cities

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity have reached epidemic proportions in Latin America. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore social and behavioral factors associated with obesity in Peruvian cities. DESIGN: Between 1998 and 2000 health examination surveys were conducted among adults in 1176 families identified in six cities. Stratified by social class, multistaged random sampling was used. Using body mass index (weight (kg)/height (m)(2)), men and women were classified into normal weight (BMI <25), overweight (BMI 25-29), or obese (BMI > or =30); abdominal circumference (> or =94 cm in men and > or =84 cm in women) further identified morbidity risk. Several demographic, social, and behavioral variables were collected following standardized procedures. RESULTS: Adjusting for age, 37% of women were categorized as normal weight, 40% overweight, and 23% obese; corresponding figures for men were 40, 44, and 16%. More developed cities, e.g., Lima, Arequipa, and Ica, had the largest prevalence of overweight and obesity for both men and women. Adjusted logistic models showed that BMI > or =25 was positively correlated with age; whereas, education was negatively associated, only among women. Other significant associated factors of overweight included city of residence, television viewing > or =4 h daily in women, and underestimation of body weight status. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed elevated rates of overweight across the income level spectrum. Factors such as urban development stage, income, education, and gender posed differential relationships with the risk of overweight and must be considered in designing future public health interventions. Underestimation of body weight status and sedentary behavior may also constitute specific areas of intervention.     

Relationship between socio-demographic and behaviour variables, and body mass index in a population with high-normal blood pressure: Hypertension Prevention Trial

The relationship between socio-demographic and behaviour variables and body mass index (BMI: weight/height2) adjusted for age were studied in a population with high-normal blood pressure who participated in the Hypertension Prevention Trial. The BMI of the participants ranged from 19.1 to 35.1 kg/m2 in men and from 16.0 to 35.1 kg/m2 in women. The prevalence of obesity (BMI greater than or equal to 25.0 kg/m2) was 77 per cent in men and 61 per cent in women, with prevalence of severe obesity (BMI greater than or equal to 30.0 kg/m2) being 23 per cent and 19 per cent respectively. Stepwise regression was carried out to identify the most important correlates of BMI. In men, they were family income (+), occupation (-), leisure time exercise frequency (-), number of meals eaten out (-), alcohol intake (-), smoking (-), caffeinated drink intake (+), and meal planner. Men who planned meals with their partners had a higher BMI than men who planned their own meals or had someone else plan their meals. Correlates of little importance were marital status, race, education, number of members in household, energy intake, percentage of total calories from fat, occupation activity level, and vitamin/mineral supplement intake. In women the most important correlates of BMI were alcohol intake (-), caffeinated drink intake (+), and race. Black women had a higher mean BMI than white women. The important socio-demographic and behaviour variables in both men and women accounted for about 20 per cent of the variance in BMI which leaves about 80 per cent of the variation unexplained. This indicates the presence of other factor(s) which may be determining body weight.     

Nutritional status of the adult population in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: the nutrition, physical activity, and health survey

A household survey was conducted to assess the nutritional status of the adult population in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In the selected households, all adults (>or= 20 years) had their body mass and stature measured. Body mass index (BMI) was used to determine the nutritional status according to the World Health Organization classification. The population estimates showed low prevalence of underweight (BMI < 18.5kg/m(2)), while 45.8% of women and 49.6% of men were overweight/obese (BMI >or= 25kg/m(2)). Obesity prevalence varied from 5.6% to 19.3% in men and from 9.6% to 21.3% in women, according to age. The prevalence of overweight/obesity was not associated with income (in either men and women) or schooling (in men), but there was an inverse relationship between schooling and overweight/obesity in women. The prevalence of underweight decreased with increasing mean income in the census enumeration area. The authors conclude that overweight/obesity is the most prevalent nutritional disorder in both men and women in Niterói. This pattern resembles recent results for the adult population in Southeast Brazil as a whole, where Niterói is located.     

Prevalence of coronary risk factors in healthy adult Kuwaitis

Obesity has been shown to be a serious health risk and is associated with a wide range of comorbid conditions, including diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease (CHD), gall bladder disease, hypertension, osteoarthritis, and certain cancers. Studies in Kuwait and other Gulf States indicate that obesity is prevalent and may be increasing. Previous studies in Kuwait have mostly focused on the epidemiology of overweight and obesity in children, adolescents, and young adults. Relatively less is known about the prevalence of overweight and obesity and its correlates in older adults for whom obesity may be more closely related to CHD risk. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in 9755 adult men and women and to determine the relationship of weight to other risk factors for chronic disease. For the first time we examine a sample of older Kuwaitis to explore the relationship between high BMI, hypercholesterolemia and hyperglycemia. One-third of adult Kuwaitis are obese (BMI > 30 kg/m²), 4.7% of Kuwaiti females have severe obesity (BMI >40 kg/m²). BMI, cholesterol, and glucose values increase with age across the life span. Older Kuwaitis have a greater constellation of risk factors for chronic diseases. The results of a multiple linear regression model in which cholesterol values were studied, controlling for age, BMI, blood glucose, and sex revealed that age, BMI and sex were significant predictors of cholesterol values. These results indicate that actions to reduce obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and hyperglycemia are needed.     

Association between socioeconomic status and adiposity in urban Cameroon

BACKGROUND: As the relation between socioeconomic status (SES) and obesity may depend on the stage of development of a country, this relation is assessed in adults from urban Cameroon. METHODS: A sample comprising 1530 women and 1301 men aged 25 years and above, from 1897 households in the Biyem-Assi health area in the capital of Cameroon, Yaoundé, were interviewed about their household amenities, occupation, and education. Weight, height, and waist circumference were measured and subjects were classified as obese if their BMI>or=30 kg/m2 or overweight if BMI was between 25.0 and 29.9 kg/m2. Abdominal obesity was defined by a waist circumference>or=80 cm in women and>or=94 cm in men. RESULTS: Of the sample studied 33% of women and 30% of men were overweight (P<0.08), whereas 22% of women and 7% of men were obese (P<0.001). Abdominal obesity was present in 67% of women and 18% of men (P<0.001). After adjusting for age, leisure time physical activity, alcohol consumption, and tobacco smoking, the prevalence of overweight+obesity, obesity, and abdominal obesity increased with quartiles of household amenities in both genders and with occupational level in men. CONCLUSION: SES is positively associated with adiposity in urban Cameroon after adjusting for confounding factors.     

Prevalence of obesity and associated risk factors in a Turkish population (trabzon city, Turkey)

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity (general and central) in the Trabzon Region and its associations with demographic factors (age, sex, marital status, reproductive history in women, and level of education), socioeconomic factors (household income and occupation), family history of selected medical conditions (diabetes, hypertension, and obesity), lifestyle factors (smoking habits, physical activity, and alcohol consumption), and hypertension in the adult population. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A sample of households was systematically selected from the central province of Trabzon and its five towns, namely, Sürmene, Vakfikebir, Ma?ka, Hayrat, and Tonya. A total of 5016 subjects (2728 women and 2288 men) were included in the study. Individuals more than 20 years old were selected from their family health cards. Demographic factors, socioeconomic factors, family history of selected medical conditions, and lifestyle factors were obtained for all participants. Systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure levels were measured for all subjects. Study procedures were carried out in the local health centers in each town over an 8-month period. Obesity was defined as BMI > or = 30 kg/m2 and overweight as BMI = 25.0 to 29.9 kg/m2. RESULTS: The prevalence of obesity was 23.5%: 29.4% in women and 16.5% in men. The combined prevalence of both overweight and obesity was 60.3%. The prevalence of abdominal obesity was 29.4%: 38.9% among women and 18.1% among men. The prevalence of obesity increased with age, being highest in the 60- to 69-year-old age group (40.8%) but lower again in the 70+ age group. Obesity was associated positively with marital status, parity, cessation of cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and household income and inversely with level of education, cigarette use, and physical activity. Also, obesity was associated positively with hypertension. DISCUSSION: In the Trabzon Region, 60.3% of the adult population presents with some excess weight. Obesity is a major public health problem that requires generalized interventions to prevent it among the adult population.     

Comorbidity of overweight and obesity in a nationally representative sample of German adults aged 18-79 years

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Overweight has increased in many countries over the past 20 years and excessive body weight is an established risk factor for adverse health outcomes and chronic diseases. This study aimed to determine comorbidity associated with overweight and obesity in a nationally representative sample of German adults. METHODS: In the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey 1998 standardized measures of body weight, height and waist circumference (WC) were obtained for 7,124 men and women 18 to 79 years of age. Information on pre-existing health conditions, health-related behaviors, and sociodemographic characteristics was collected using physician-administered computer-assisted interviews and self-administered questionnaires. World Health Organization (WHO) cut-off criteria were applied to define overweight (BMI: 25.0-29.9 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI [GREATER-THAN OR EQUAL TO]30.0 kg/m2) and abdominal obesity (men: WC [GREATER-THAN OR EQUAL TO]102 cm; women: WC [GREATER-THAN OR EQUAL TO]88 cm). RESULTS: The crude prevalence of persons with cardio metabolic risk factors, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease (CVD), gall bladder disease, and osteoarthritis showed a significant stepwise increase from the lowest to the highest BMI category in both sexes. In multiple logistic regression models adjusting for age, social status, and smoking, significant associations with overweight and obesity persisted for cardio metabolic risk factors and osteoarthritis. For example, obese persons had a three- to fourfold higher chance of having any cardio metabolic risk factor compared to normal weight persons (odds ratio (OR) = 4.07, 95% CI: 3.16-5.25 for men; OR = 3.40 (2.60-4.46) for women). Only in women, overweight and obesity as well as abdominal obesity, independent of BMI category, were significantly and consistently associated with diabetes (overweight: OR = 1.85 (1.03-3.30); obesity: OR = 2.94 (1.63-5.31); abdominal obesity: OR = 1.44 (1.08-1.92) and gall bladder disease (overweight: OR = 1.65 (1.22-2.25); obesity: OR = 3.06 (2.26-4.14); abdominal obesity: OR = 1.73 (1.25-2.39)). CONCLUSION: Current estimates of disease burden underline the public health importance and clinical relevance related to overweight and obesity and needs to take into account comorbidity aspects.     

Examining overweight and obesity as risk factors for common mental disorders using fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) genotype-instrumented analysis: The Whitehall II Study, 1985-2004

The Mendelian randomization approach exploits genetic variants to improve causal inference when using observational data. The authors examined the relation between long-term obesity and common mental disorders (CMD) by utilizing the known relation between fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) genotype and body mass index (BMI; weight (kg)/height (m)(2)). Data collection in 2,981 men and 1,164 women (mean age at baseline = 44 years) from the Whitehall II Study (London, United Kingdom) included 4 repeated examinations of BMI and CMD over a 19-year follow-up period (1985-2004), plus an assessment of FTO polymorphism rs1421085. In men, there was an association of FTO genotype with all measures of adiposity (mean BMI, number of times obese, and, in nonobese persons, number of times overweight). FTO was also associated with CMD in men. This was independent of adiposity, thus potentially violating the exclusion restriction assumption. According to both conventional and FTO-instrumented regression analysis, measurement of obesity was associated with an increased occurrence of CMD. In the FTO-instrumented analysis only, higher BMI and overweight were also associated with CMD. In women, there was no link between FTO and adiposity. Mendelian randomization analyses supported the status of long-term obesity as a risk factor for CMD in men-a finding that should be interpreted cautiously because the function of the FTO gene is unknown.     

1995-2002年上海宝钢集团职工超重肥胖率的流行趋势

目的探讨上海宝钢集团股份公司（简称宝钢）职工超重和肥胖率的动态变化。方法回顾性分析1995-2002年期间宝钢职工隔年体检资料,根据体质指数（body mass index,BMI）≥24kg／m^2而〈28kg／m^2和≥28kg／m^2分别诊断超重和肥胖,采用SPSS11．5和SAS统计软件进行分析。结果1995-2002年期间共有59131人次参加健康体检,其中参加4次者27．1％,3次者26．6％,2次者占24．0％。总体超重和肥胖率进行性别、年龄校正后,分别从1995-1996年的26．50％和4．10％上升至2001-2002年的34．60％和7．70％。进行年龄校正后,男性超重和肥胖率分别从28．20％和4．20％升高至37．90％和8．40％;女性超重和肥胖率分别从19．60％和3．70％升高至21．10％和5．20％,男性改变更为显著。在男性中,60岁以前各年龄段超重和肥胖率均随时间进展逐年升高;女性除30岁以前年龄段超重率和50-60岁年龄段肥胖率基本表现为逐年升高外,其余年龄段超重和肥胖率变化不明显。结论1995-2002年,上海市宝钢职工超重肥胖率不断增高,其中以中青年男性改变最为显著,该人群应成为疾病防治的重点。     

Association of reduction in parental overweight with reduction in children's overweight with a 3-year follow-up

BACKGROUND: Parental overweight has been reported to be a risk factor predicting obesity of their children. However, the effect of changes in parental overweight on the changes in children's overweight is not yet characterized. METHODS: Six hundred five children of 9-10 years underwent physical examinations and a survey concerning parents' body mass index (BMI) with a 3-year follow-up. RESULTS: In families where both parents' BMI was above 25 at baseline, when either parents' BMI decreased to less than 25 kg/m(2), children improved their adiposity, atherosclerosis index (AI), and systolic blood pressure (SBP). No such improvement was observed in children both of whose parents maintained BMI > or =25 kg/m(2). CONCLUSIONS: Improving parental overweight possibly reduced the risk of overweight in their children. Changes in parental overweight status were associated with changes in overweight status of their children.     

Peer Reviewed: Behavioral Risk Factors Associated With Overweight and Obesity Among Older Adults: the 2005 National Health Interview Survey

Introduction

Obesity is associated with coronary heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes. Concern about obesity among older adults is growing, and research to examine behaviors associated with risk for increased weight in this population is needed. We examined differences by sex in behaviors associated with overweight and obesity among older adults (aged ≥50 years).

Methods

We analyzed data from the 2005 National Health Interview Survey using logistic regression to predict the likelihood of overweight (body mass index [BMI], 25.0-29.9 kg/m²) and obesity (BMI ≥30.0 kg/m²) relative to healthy weight (BMI, 18.5-24.9 kg/m²) among older adults. We used self-reported weights and heights. Correlates were risk behaviors for chronic disease (smoking status, alcohol intake, consumption of fruits and vegetables, leisure-time physical activity, walking for leisure, walking for transportation, and strength training).

Results

Among older men, the prevalence of overweight was 46.3%, and the prevalence of obesity was 25.1%. Among older women, the prevalence of overweight was 33.4%, and the prevalence of obesity was 28.8%. In adjusted logistic regression models, sex differences were observed in the significance of most risk factors for overweight and obesity. Men who were occasional, light, or moderate drinkers were 28% more likely to be obese than men who were nondrinkers; women who were heavy drinkers were 55% less likely to be obese than women who were nondrinkers. Compared with men and women who were regularly active during leisure time, inactive men were 39% more likely to be obese, and inactive women were 28% more likely to be obese.

Conclusion

Several risk behaviors for chronic disease appear to be associated with overweight and obesity among older adults. Modification of these behaviors has the potential to reduce weight.     

A dose-response relationship between short sleeping hours and childhood obesity: results of the Toyama Birth Cohort Study

BACKGROUND: Short sleeping hours could cause obesity through increased sympathetic activity, elevated cortisol secretion and decreased glucose tolerance. The aim of this study was to clarify parental and lifestyle factors, particularly sleeping habits, associated with obesity in Japanese children. METHODS: Between June and July 1996, 8274 children (4194 males and 4080 females) aged 6-7 years living in Toyama prefecture, Japan, were investigated by questionnaire survey and the collection of anthropometric data. Subjects with a body mass index (BMI; weight in kg divided by square of height in m) greater than the age- and sex-specific cut-off points linked to adulthood overweight (BMI of 25 kg/m2 or more) were defined as obese subjects. Parental obesity was defined as a BMI of 25 kg/m2 or more. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the strength of the relationships between parental obesity or lifestyle factors and childhood obesity, adjusted for possible confounding factors. RESULTS: Parental obesity, long hours of TV watching and physical inactivity were significantly associated with childhood obesity. Although wake-up time was not related to obesity, there was a significant dose-response relationship between late bedtime or short sleeping hours and childhood obesity. Compared with children with 10 or more hours of sleep, the adjusted odds ratio was 1.49 (95% confidence interval 1.08-2.14) for those with 9-10 h sleep, 1.89 (1.34-2.73) for those with 8-9 h sleep and 2.87 (1.61-5.05) for those with <8 h sleep, after adjustment for age, sex, parental obesity and other lifestyle factors. CONCLUSION: A strong inverse association was observed in the relationship between sleeping hours and childhood obesity. Longitudinal research will be required to confirm this causality.     

Overweight, obesity, and binge eating in a non-clinical sample of five Brazilian cities

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between obesity/overweight and binge eating episodes (BEEs) in a large nonclinical population. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Consumers at shopping centers in five Brazilian cities (N = 2858) who participated in an overweight prevention program were interviewed and had weight and height measured to calculate BMI. RESULTS: Prevalence of overweight (BMI = 25 to 29.9 kg/m2) was 46.6% for men and 36.6% for women. Obesity (BMI > or = 30 kg/m2) was about two-thirds of the prevalence of overweight. BEEs (subjects who binged one or more times per week over the last 3 months) in normal-weight individuals was 1.4% for men and 3.9% for women, whereas in overweight/obese, these prevalences were 6.5% and 5.5%, respectively (p < 0.01). After adjustment for age, socioeconomic variables, and childhood obesity, those who reported BEEs had an odds ratio of being overweight/obese of 3.31 (95% confidence interval: 1.11 to 9.85) for men and 1.73 (95% confidence interval: 1.05 to 2.84) for women. DISCUSSION: These findings indicate a strong association between episodes of binge eating and overweight/obesity, mainly among men.     

Urbanization and obesity in The Gambia: a country in the early stages of the demographic transition

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution of overweight and obesity and its relationship with socio-economic and behavioural factors in a developing-country population undergoing rapid nutritional transition. DESIGN: Cross-sectional house-to-house survey in urban Gambia. SUBJECTS: Four groups of 50 subjects were sampled as follows: young men (YM, 14-25 years), young women (YW, 14-25 years), older men (OM, 35-50 years) and older women (OW, 35-50 years). MEASUREMENTS: Several socio-economic and behavioural factors were investigated. Composite indices for socio-economic status, education, healthy lifestyle and western influences were created. Body weight, height, waist and hip circumferences were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Body composition was assessed by leg-to-leg bioimpedance. Overweight was defined as BMI=25.0-29.9 kg/m(2) and obesity as BMI>or=30.0 kg/m(2). RESULTS: There were highly significant gender and age differences in overweight (YM=0%, YW=10%, OM=6% and OW=34%) and obesity (YM=0%, YW=4%, OM=6% and OW=50%). Only 16% of OW were neither overweight nor obese compared to 88% of OM. OW had a higher fat mass percent (38.4%) than other groups, while fat-free mass (kg) was significantly higher in males than females with YW having the lowest value. Young generations were more educated and more influenced by western ideals than OM and OW. Weight gain was not always associated with weight concern and many overweight/obese subjects did not perceive themselves as overweight. CONCLUSION: Social and behavioural changes are already creating a perceptible 'generational gap' among this population undergoing rapid transition. The improved education and current lean status of the younger adults offers opportunities for preventative interventions. These need to be specially targeted at women.