Obesity and abdominal obesity; an alarming challenge for cardio-metabolic risk in Turkish adults

To assess the prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity in Turkish adults.

This is a nationally representative cross-sectional study. From both urban and rural areas of seven geographical regions of Turkey 2110 men and 2154 women with a mean age of 40.9+/-14.9 years (range 20-90) were included in this study. Demographic, anthropometric data were collected and biochemical analyses of blood lipids and glucose levels were performed in all participants. Statistical analyses were performed using Chi-square, unpaired t and two-way ANOVA tests. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was applied for the study of association of obesity with cardiometabolic risk factors.

The prevalence of overweight was 36.0% (41.5% in men and 30.6% in women) and the prevalence of obesity was 30.4% (20.6% in men and 39.9% in women). The prevalence of obesity was similar in rural and urban areas. The prevalence of abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome were 36.2% and 40.9 % according to American Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute criteria and 58.7% and 42.6% according to International Diabetes Federation criteria, respectively. Abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome were significantly more prevalent among women. After adjusting for age, sex and other cardiometabolic risk factors, abdominal obesity was significantly associated with increases in body mass index (odds ratio [OR] per 5 kg/m2 increase 1.61, 95% CI 1.52-1.69) and triglycerides (OR per 10 unit increase 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.02) and negatively associated with total cholesterol (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.94-0.96), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.93-0.99), systolic blood pressure (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.92-0.98) and diastolic blood pressure (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.90-0.99).

Obesity and abdominal obesity are major problems for Turkish adults, especially for Turkish women. Our finding is alarming for cardio-metabolic complications and underscores the need for population-based strategies to modify lifestyle related risk factors.