[Study on the epidemiological characteristics of overweight and obesity among population aged eighteen and over in Guangdong Province in 2002].
OBJECTIVE
To describe the epidemiological characteristics of overweight and obesity among people aged 18 and over in Guangdong province in 2002, and to identify the populations and regions under high risk.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey was used through sampling on multi-stage randomized clusters. Data of socialeconomic status were collected by face-to-face interview. Data on weight and height was obtained through physical check-ups.


RESULTS
A sample size of 15 130 people and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 22.03 +/- 3.38 with no significant difference between males and females. However the significant difference was seen between cities and rural areas. The crude prevalence rate of overweight and obesity were 16.8% and 1.8%, and the age-adjusted rate were 15.0% and 1.7%, respectively. The crude rate of overweight in cities (24.8%) and males (17.5%) were higher than that in rural areas (9.4%) and females (16.2%). The crude rate of obesity in cities was seen higher than that in the rural areas, but not significantly different between females and males. The results of logistic regression analysis showed that the major risk factors influencing overweight would include household income, age, gender, smoking habits, physical exercises and location of residence.


CONCLUSIONS
About one sixth of the citizens in Guangdong province were considered to be overweighted and obesive had become an important public health problem. Integrated measures must be taken for prevention and control.
Ma
Wen-Jun
WJ
Center for Disease Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510300, China.
Xu
Yan-Jun
YJ
Li
Jian-Sen
JS
Xu
Hao-Feng
HF
Nie
Shao-Ping
SP
Chen
Ze-Chi
ZC
Deng
Hui-Hong
HH
Li
Hai-Kang
HK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D050177:Overweight; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires