First national epidemiological survey on the prevalence of obesity and abdominal fat distribution in Greek adults.
OBJECTIVE
To provide estimates of the prevalence of obesity, overweight and body fat distribution among the adult population of Greece.


METHODS
Epidemiological, cross-sectional nationwide survey providing self-reported data.


METHODS
A total of 17,341 men and women aged from 20 to 70 years and classified into five 10-year age groups participated. The selection was conducted by stratified sampling through household family members of Greek children attending school.


METHODS
The participants reported data on weight, height, waist and hip circumference. BMI and waist-to-hip ratio were calculated. Abdominal obesity was defined as waist circumference > or = 102 cm in men and > or = 88 cm in women.


RESULTS
In the total population, the mean BMI was 26.5 kg/m2, (27.3 in men, 25.7 in women). The overall prevalence of obesity was 22.5%, (26% in men, 18.2% in women) while that of overweight was 35.2% (41.1% in men, 29.9% in women). The percentages of obesity and overweight in men were similar in almost all age groups, while in women they progressively increased with age. Abdominal obesity was more frequent among women than men (35.8 vs. 26.6%, respectively), especially after the age of 50.


CONCLUSIONS
Excess body weight is reaching epidemic proportions in Greece and obesity rates are among the highest, if not the highest, in Western society. The problem affects particularly men, and women after menopause. Interestingly, more women than men present with abdominal obesity. Preventive and treatment strategies are urgently needed to stop the obesity epidemic in this Mediterranean European country.
Kapantais
E
E
Hellenic Medical Association for Obesity, Athens, Greece.
Tzotzas
T
T
Ioannidis
I
I
Mortoglou
A
A
Bakatselos
S
S
Kaklamanou
M
M
Lanaras
L
L
Kaklamanos
I
I
D050153:Abdominal Fat / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012650:Self Disclosure; D017678:Sex Distribution; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio