Prevalence and trends of obesity in The Netherlands 1987-1991.
OBJECTIVE
To study the prevalence and trends in obesity in the period 1987-1991.


METHODS
Linear regression of average body mass index (BMI in kg/m2) and prevalence of obesity (BMI > or = 30 kg/m2) in a continuous monitoring project in three towns in The Netherlands.


RESULTS
It was estimated that over the whole period the prevalence of obesity was 7% in men and 9% in women. After adjustment for age and educational level the prevalence of obesity increased significantly in both men with about 1.7 percentage points (+/- standard error: 0.8) and in women with 1.9 +/- 0.8 percentage points between 1987 and 1991. When stratified by 10-year age category the increase was strongest in those aged 20-29 and 50-59 years. When stratified by educational level, the increase was only significant in the lowest category (primary education and lower secondary education) and was not significant in other categories.


CONCLUSIONS
Obesity is relatively common in The Netherlands and, at least among responders to the yearly surveys, the prevalence of obesity has increased in the period 1987-1991 particularly in those with a relatively low educational level.
Seidell
J C
JC
Department of Chronic Disease and Environmental Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection, Bilthoven, Netherlands.
Verschuren
W M
WM
Kromhout
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015995:Prevalence