title: Obesity in the Lebanese elderly: prevalence, relative risks and anthropometrical measurements.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure the prevalence of obesity in the Lebanese elderly population and to compare it to another sample studied 10 years ago; to investigate the best anthropometrical measurement related to obesity relative risks in this age group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study about aging and obesity in the Lebanese society.
  
  
  METHODS
  237 Lebanese elderly (60-85 y.o.) selected randomly from an urban and a rural community.
  
  
  METHODS
  Height, weight, waist and hips circumferences.
  
  
  RESULTS
  47% of the studied sample is obese and obesity is related to gender, educational level and age. Body mass index (BMI) is a good indicator for diabetes 2. Central obesity did not correlate with obesity relative risks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Obesity is more prevalent in 2005 than it was in 1995. Prevention programs should be installed in schools and work places in Lebanon to fight against the epidemic of obesity.
authors.affiliation: Service UMR 6578/CNRS, Faculté de Médecine Nord, Université de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France. charbelbcheraoui@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Charbel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: El Bcheraoui
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chapuis-Lucciani
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D000886:Anthropometry; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012306:Risk; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires