Related Experiment Videos
[Ponderal evolution in the Girona population, 1989-1999]
J M Fernández-Real1, M Sáez, J M García-Rafanell
1Unitat de Diabetologia, Endocrinologia i Nutrició, Hospital Universitari de Girona, Dr Josep Trueta, Girona, Spain. endocrino@htrueta.scs.es
Revista Clinica Espanola
|February 28, 2003
Summary
Obesity and overweight prevalence significantly increased in Catalunya between 1986-1999 across all age groups. This trend, particularly concerning for young adults, highlights a growing public health challenge in body adiposity.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Anthropometry
Context:
- Obesity prevalence has risen globally despite weight loss efforts.
- Understanding population-specific body composition changes is crucial due to varying health risks.
- Catalan population's body adiposity trends required investigation.
Purpose:
- To determine changes in body adiposity across different degrees of overweight and obesity.
- To compare current body mass index (BMI) data with historical records from 1986-1989.
- To analyze BMI trends in a Catalan population aged 14 and above.
Summary:
- A study of 24,554 individuals (1995-1999) in Catalunya revealed significant increases in overweight and obesity.
- Overweight prevalence in women aged 15-24 rose from 7.3% to 17.6%, with similar increases across other age groups and men.
- Low weight prevalence also increased, notably in young women (15-24 years) and men (15-24 years).
Impact:
- Findings align with rising overweight and obesity rates in neighboring countries.
- The study highlights the need for multidisciplinary approaches to address extreme BMI distribution, especially in younger populations.
- Mean and median BMI may not accurately reflect ponderal evolution due to diverging trends in low weight and obesity.