Prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity in Spanish population aged 65 years and over: ENPE study

To assess the prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity (AO) in the Spanish population aged ≥65 years, to analyse the influence of selected sociodemographic factors and association with risk factors.

The sample comes from the ENPE study, a cross-sectional study of a representative sample of the non-institutionalized population (2014-2015). This analysis refers to the population ≥65 years (n=1,233). Trained observers performed anthropometric measurements at participants' homes following standard international protocols. Obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥30; AO waist>102cm men; >88cm women.

Estimated prevalence of obesity in adults ≥65 years was high, higher in women (40.1% [95% CI 36.4-43.8]) than in men (32.5% [95% CI 28.5-36.8]). The prevalence of AO was also higher in women (69.9% [95% CI 66.4-73.1]) than in men (40.7% [95% CI 36.5-44.8]), and estimates were even higher when defining AO by waist-hip ratio or waist-height ratio. Of those classified as AO, 39.8% have a BMI between 25-29. Obesity and AO are higher in the South region compared to East, North-East and Central regions and showed inverse association with educational level. Obesity and AO were associated with increased probability of hypercholesterolaemia and high blood pressure, sarcopenic obesity, and diabetes.

The prevalence of obesity and AO in adults aged ≥65 years is high, higher in women, in people of lower educational level and in the South region compared to East, North-East and Central regions. The high prevalence of OA is especially worrying due to its association with cardiovascular and metabolic complications and poorer quality of life.