title: Prevalence and associated factors of overweight and obesity in a Chinese rural population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Overweight and obesity are now considered as a serious health problem, and a very important risk factor for many diseases.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to investigate the epidemiologic features of overweight and obesity among rural adults in China.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey was conducted during 2004-2005, using a multistage cluster sampling method to select a representative sample in Fuxin county, Liaoning province, China. A total of 29,970 adults, aged > or =35 years, were examined. At baseline, lifestyle and other factors were obtained. Overweight and obesity were defined according to the classification by the World Health Organization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, the prevalence of overweight was 18.6%; 15.1% in men and 22.1% in women. The prevalence of obesity was 1.7%; 1.2% in men and 2.2% in women. Multivariable logistic regression revealed certain risk factors of obesity that included being a women, Mongolian nationality and education status of over junior high school level. Moderate physical activity alone was shown as protective factor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the prevalence of obesity was low, overweight was relatively high in the Chinese rural population, especially in adult women. Gender, diet, physical activity, education levels, and ethnicity were associated with the prevalence of these health conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Xingang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Zhaoqing
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Xinzhong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Liqiang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Shuangshuang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Changlu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Jiajin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Fenfen
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Jue
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Dayi
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Yingxian
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sun
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D012737:Sex Factors