[Epidemiology of obesity and overweight and relation thereof to the prevalence of hypertension in 14 provinces/municipality in China].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the current epidemiological characteristics of obesity and overweight in the middle-aged and elderly populations of china and to disclose their relation with such chronic diseases as hypertension.

METHODS

A questionnaire survey and physical examination were conducted among the 35-85-years-old persons from 14 densely populated residential areas representative in economic development and medical conditions in 14 provinces/municipality in China (i.e., Henna, Hebei, Shandong, Shanxi, Guangdong, Jiangxi, Tianjin, Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi, Hunan, Hubei, Yunnan, Sichuan, and Zhejiang) where a large-scale epidemiological survey of atrial fibrillation were being conducted, one residential area for a province, selected by cluster sampling to investigate the health-related personal conditions and examine the blood pressure (BP), body height, weight, body mass index (BMI), etc. so as to understand the prevalence of overweight and obesity based on the diagnostic criteria of Chinese adults recommended by the Working Group on Obesity in China.

RESULTS

29056 persons, 13549 males with the average body height of 168 cm +/- 7 cm, average weight of 68 kg +/- 11 kg, and average body mass index (BMI) of 24 kg/m(2) +/- 3 kg/m(2), and 15507 females with the average body height of 156 cm +/- 6 cm, average weight of 60 kg +/- 10 kg, and average BMI of 24 kg/m(2) +/- 4 kg/m(2), were surveyed. The BMI of women was significantly higher than that of men (P = 0.005). The total prevalence of overweight in the 14 provinces/municipality was 38.93%, and the standardized prevalence of overweight was 37.17%, the total prevalence of obesity was 13.94%, and the standardized prevalence was 12.63%. The prevalence of obesity of men was 12.29%, significantly lower then that of women (15.39%, P < 0.001). The prevalence of overweight of men was 412.18%, significantly higher then that of women (36.97%, P < 0.001). The prevalence rates of obesity and overweight increased with age in the age group 35-64; and decreased with age in the age group 65 and over. In the men, the prevalence of overweight was the highest in the age group 45-54 (44.57%), and the prevalence of obesity was the highest in the age 55-64 (13.60%). In the women, the prevalence of overweight was the highest in the age group 55-64 (40.10%), and the prevalence of obesity was the highest in the age group 65-74 (19.97%). The prevalence of hypertension increased obviously with the BMI in these populations.

CONCLUSIONS

Overweight and obesity are prevalent in China. Control of body weight is of great importance to the prevention and treatment of such chronic diseases as hypertension.