[Body fat distribution in a Swiss population: the AIR94 Study. Epidemiology and consequences for clinical practice]

Several recent studies reported a prevalence rate of overweight (25 < BMI < 30 kg/m2) of 4-30% as a function of age and gender. It is well known that the fat distribution pattern represents a major modifier of health risks associated with obesity. For clinical purposes the measurement of the waist to hip ratio represents one of the most valid tools for the assessment of the fat distribution pattern. During the air show AIR94 in Buochs (Nidwalden, Switzerland) 1568 visitors participated voluntarily in a study where several cardiovascular risk factors and behaviours were assessed with the help of a questionnaire, besides others the W/H ratio was measured. This study represents the first epidemiological study of the fat distribution pattern in a large population group in Switzerland. The mean (+/- SD) age of the whole population was 50.3 +/- 16.2 years, the mean body mass index (BMI) 25.5 +/- 3.7 kg/m2, the mean W/H ratio 0.89 +/- 0.09. The BMI and the W/H ratio for the different age decades was calculated. In women the normal value of 0.8 for the W/H ratio is bypassed in the 4th decade of age; the normal value of 0.95 for men is surpassed in the 6th decade of life. These findings are of great public health importance since they illustrate nicely the importance to control body weight and the fat distribution pattern early in life. The major modifiable risk factors for the abdominal accumulation of fat are the excess of calories (especially in form of fat), physical inactivity, smoking and alcohol consumption, stress and probably weight cycling. The control of these risk factors is strongly needed.