The size of obesity differences associated with educational level in Spain, 1987 and 1995/97.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the size of obesity differences associated with educational level in the adult population in Spain.


METHODS
Three cross sectional studies representative of the adult population in Spain were carried out in 1987, 1995, and 1997.


METHODS
The general population in Spain.


METHODS
11 461 men and 10 219 women aged 25 to 64 years.


RESULTS
For both men and women the obesity prevalence was highest in those with elementary education. In 1987 the obesity prevalence proportion associated with less than third level education (PA) was 24.5% (95% CI 6.0 to 42.8) and 47.9% (15.7 to 71.8) in men and women, respectively. The PAs in 1995/97 were 19.8% (0.2 to 40.2) and 55.1% (21.3 to 72.8).


CONCLUSIONS
In 1995/97 the burden of obesity associated with less than third level education was 20% in men and 55% in women aged 25 to 64 years. Between 1987 and 1997 the obesity prevalence proportion associated with less than third level education increased in women and decreased in men.
Gutiérrez-Fisac
J L
JL
Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Avda Arzobispo Marcillo s/n, 280-29 Madrid, Spain. fernando.artalejo@uam.es
Regidor
E
E
Banegas Banegas
J R
JR
Rodríguez Artalejo
F
F
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology