Obesity in a Somerset town: prevalence and relationship to morbidity

Body mass index was determined for 953 subjects, randomly selected from the electoral roll of a town in south-west England. Morbidity was estimated using a questionnaire.The prevalence of obesity (body mass index < 28) was 21 per cent for males and 22 per cent for females. Overall morbidity was significantly increased in obese females. The three main disease groups that were more prevalent in both the obese males and females were hypertension, cardiovascular disease and musculoskeletal disorders.