[Obesity in the population of North Rhine-Westphalia and its communities  in the 2009 German Microcensus: prevalence, illness and prevention potential].
OBJECTIVE
There are only few data about regional and social disparities in obesity, the related diseases, and related morbidity in Germany.


METHODS
The 2009 Microcensus regional file North Rhine-Westphalia was used for this analysis. The Microcensus represents a decentralised household survey. The selection rate of the random sample survey was 1 % of the population. RESULTS can be extrapolated at state and community levels in North Rhine-Westphalia. The body weight and the height were reported by 72 % of the interviewees above 18 years in the voluntary health supplementary programme (N = 10 705 000).


RESULTS
About 11 % of the adults above 18 years in North Rhine-Westphalia are obese class I, further 3 % of the adults are obese class II and 1 % are obese class III according to Body-Mass-Index classification. After adjustment for age, male and female adults with obesity have a highly significantly elevated odds ratio of 1.4 and 1.7 for illness or accident injury at the survey date. Obesity prevalence is associated with officially confirmed disability.There is a social gradient in the prevalence of obesity in the population of employable age (18-64 years). The probability of obesity decreases with the rise of the level of education. Male and female blue-collar workers and female jobseekers were more often obese. The Microcensus shows distinct disparities in obesity prevalence between the communities in the population of employable age.


CONCLUSIONS
The Microcensus may have potential for a harmonized monitoring concerning obesity. But there is a need for further research in regard to the methods. The regional and social disparities in obesity prevalence reveal needs for interventions to combat obesity.
Bayerisches Landesamt für Gesundheit und Lebensmittelsicherheit, Erlangen. Alfons.Hollederer@lgl.bayern.de
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Hollederer
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D019352:Censuses; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D058872:Epidemics; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult