title: The relationship between body mass index and the prevalence of obesity-related diseases based on the 1995 National Health Interview Survey in Korea.
abstract: This study estimated the body mass index (BMI) distribution of Koreans and examined the relationship between BMI and obesity-related diseases, in particular hypertension and diabetes mellitus. We also attempted to provide primary data to determine suitable BMI cut-off points for obesity in Korea. The 1995 National Health Interview Study (NHIS) data were used to estimate BMI and the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus. A random sample of 5750 Koreans (15-69 years of age) were investigated. BMI was calculated by self-reported weights and heights. The diagnoses of hypertension and diabetes mellitus were obtained from self-reported conditions specified in response to consultations with physicians. The mean BMI was 22.6+/-2.6 kg m(-2) for males and 21.7+/-4.8 kg m(-2) for females. The prevalence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus increased with BMI. The odds ratios of the third quartile of BMI (21.9-23.8 kg m(-2)) for hypertension and diabetes mellitus compared with the first quartile were 6.04 and 3.22, respectively. The odds ratio of the fourth quartile (>23.8 kg m(-2)) of BMI was not significantly different from that of the third quartile. The risk of hypertension and diabetes mellitus increased at the third quartile of BMI (21.9-23.8 kg m(-2)), this quartile being much lower than both the current World Health Organization (WHO) BMI cut-off point of overweight of 25.0 kg m(-2), and the 90th percentile proposed in the Monica project, BMI 26.4 kg m(-2). This finding was notable considering the fact that both hypertension and diabetes mellitus occur in Koreans with lower BMIs than whites. Further studies are necessary to identify the BMI cut-off point for obesity in Korea.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Korea. ucho@plaza.snu.ac.kr
authors.forename: O R
authors.initials: OR
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: S O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People; D015992:Body Mass Index; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution