[Study on dynamic changes of body mass index for adults in Henan Province]

To analysis the dynamic changes of body mass index (BMI) of adults, and provide basis for health research and policy-making, using the random cluster sampling, a total of 480 households (urban 80, suburban 80, county neighboring communities 80, rural 240) in 24 different sites were selected. The adults of selected households were subjects. Data on height, body weight and household income etc were collected in autumn of every surveying year. The results showed that the rates of BMI < 18.5 cut-off point declined with years, they were 7.3% and 3.5% in 1989 and 2000 respectively. The rates of overweight and obesity showed a steadily increasing tendency, rose up sharply from 10.7% in 1989 to 25.2% in 2000, about 1.5% higher each year. The percentage of overweight and obesity altogether in 2000 ranked as urban 33.3%, county 31.7%, suburban 24.6%, and rural 21.4%. It suggested that the percentage of overweight and obesity increased quickly, have accounted for big part in population, and should be listed as one of major public health issues.