Significant increase of overweight and obesity during the 1990s in China
Document Actions
In order to evaluate trends in body mass index (BMI) and the prevalence of overweight and obesity between 1991 and 1999-2000 among Chinese adults, two comparable population-based samples of 7,858 of Northern and Southern Chinese adults from each period were used. From 1991 to 1999-2000, mean BMI significantly increased from 21.8 to 23.4 kg/m2 among men and from 21.8 to 23.5 kg/m2 among women. Among men, the prevalence of overweight increased from 9.6% in 1991 to 20.0% in 1999-2000 and the prevalence of obesity from 0.6% to 3.0% during the same time period. Among women, the prevalence of overweight increased from 14.5% to 26.5% and the prevalence of obesity from 1.8% to 5.2% during the same time period. The prevalence of overweight and obesity rapidly increased in all age groups, and in rural as well as in urban areas, both in North and South China. These data underscore the need for national programmes in weight maintenance and reduction so as to prevent obesity-related comorbidities and outcomes in China.
Abstract
