The prevalence of overweight adults living in a rural and remote community. The Bella Coola Valley.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of overweight adults living in the Bella Coola Valley.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review of all people attending the Bella Coola Medical Clinic, and residing in the Bella Coola Valley.


METHODS
Weight (killograms) and body mass index (BMI).


RESULTS
More than 92% of clinic charts had a recent measurement of weight and 65% of clinic charts had height measured; accordingly, we were able to calculate the BMI on 65% of the clinic population. Over 50% of the adults residing in the Bella Coola Valley are considered overweight (BMI > 27, the Health Canada definition) and only 25% have a BMI within an acceptable range (20.0 to 24.9). Proportionately more Aboriginal people are overweight (65%) than non-Aboriginal people (47%); men and women were similarly overweight (56% and 53%, respectively); and proportionately more people were overweight with increased age. The prevalence of being overweight in people aged 65 years and older is 66%. As weight increased so did the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diverticular disease, dyspepsia/gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), alcohol issues, asthma, depression, coronary artery disease, and eczematous dermatitis. There was no relationship between increasing weight and atrial fibrillation, cerebrovascular disease, inflammatory arthritis, hypothyroidism, chronic back/neck pain, peripheral vascular disease, chronic obstructive lung disease, congestive heart failure, and cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
Living in a remote community does not protect against obesity and the complications of obesity. Obesity is present in a greater proportion of Aboriginal people. The treatment and prevention of obesity in rural populations of differing ethnicity may need to be individualized.
Self
R Bruce
RB
Community Health Program, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC.
Birmingham
C Laird
CL
Elliott
R
R
Zhang
W
W
Thommasen
H V
HV
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001955:British Columbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012424:Rural Population; D017678:Sex Distribution