[Overweight and obesity in Germany 1984-2003]

The magnitude and the development of the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Germany during the past 20 years are analysed in this contribution. Using body mass index (BMI) data of the National Examination Surveys (1984-1992), the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey 1998 as well as the Telephone Health Survey 2003, all representative of the adult non-institutionalised population, the occurrence of overweight and obesity is studied. To improve the comparability with measurement values, the Telephone Health Survey data which were based on self-reporting were adjusted. All data were weighted to improve the representativeness for the time of assessment. Although the proportion of persons with a BMI between 25 and 30 did not change essentially during the last 20 years, the proportion of obese individuals (BMI>or=30) increased considerably. At present, about 70% of men and 50% of women in Germany are overweight or obese. In conclusion, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Germany continues to increase.