Obesity prevalence from a European perspective: a systematic review

Background Obesity has been recognised as an important contributing factor in the development of various diseases, but comparative data on this condition are limited. We therefore aimed to identify and discuss current epidemiological data on the prevalence of obesity in European countries. Methods W...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BMC public health Vol. 8; no. 1; p. 200
Main Authors: Berghöfer, Anne, Pischon, Tobias, Reinhold, Thomas, Apovian, Caroline M, Sharma, Arya M, Willich, Stefan N
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: London BioMed Central 05.06.2008
BioMed Central Ltd
BMC
Subjects:
Adult
Biostatistics
Body Mass Index
Care and treatment
Complications and side effects
Environmental Health
Epidemiologic Studies
Epidemiology
Europe - epidemiology
Female
Health Surveys
Humans
Male
Measurement
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Middle Aged
Obesity
Obesity - epidemiology
Prevalence
Prevention
Public Health
Research Article
Risk factors
Sex Distribution
Vaccine
Germany
Europe
Body Mass Index
Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System
Obesity
Regional Survey
Obesity Prevalence
ISSN:1471-2458, 1471-2458
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Background Obesity has been recognised as an important contributing factor in the development of various diseases, but comparative data on this condition are limited. We therefore aimed to identify and discuss current epidemiological data on the prevalence of obesity in European countries. Methods We identified relevant published studies by means of a MEDLINE search (1990–2008) supplemented by information obtained from regulatory agencies. We only included surveys that used direct measures of weight and height and were representative of each country's overall population. Results In Europe, the prevalence of obesity (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m 2 ) in men ranged from 4.0% to 28.3% and in women from 6.2% to 36.5%. We observed considerable geographic variation, with prevalence rates in Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe being higher than those in Western and Northern Europe. Conclusion In Europe, obesity has reached epidemic proportions. The data presented in our review emphasise the need for effective therapeutic and preventive strategies.
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ISSN:1471-2458
1471-2458
DOI:10.1186/1471-2458-8-200