Table 1.
Summary of literature review of studies reporting prevalence of obesity around the world in the past two decades.
| Author | Year | Age Inclusion | Type of Study | BMI cut-off points |
Mean BMI or prevalence | Region | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MacDonald, SM14 |
1997 | 18 -74 y/o | Cross sectional surveys conducted in ten Canadian provinces between 1986 - 1992 |
Obesity considered as BMI ≥ 27 |
Mean BMI for men was 25.8 (SD 4.03) and 24.9 (SD 5.14) for women. A total of 35% of men and 27% of women were considered to be obese. |
North America | Additional study conducted with same dataset by the same group reported no differences in BMI between urban and rural areas of Canada |
| Torrance, GM13 |
2002 | 20 - 69 y/o | Cross sectional study using three different national surveys to determine trend in obesity of adults in Canada. |
WHO cut- points |
Prevalence of obesity increased over time for men from 8.1% (1970-72) to 12% (1978-79) to 13.4 (1986-1992). Similarly for women the prevalence increased from 12.7% (1970-72) to 14.9% (1978-79) to 15.4 (1986-1992). |
North America | No differences observed by education, however smoking status had a strong relationship with increasing obesity trends. |
| Kaplan, MS12 | 2003 | ≥ 65 y/o | Cross sectional study using wave 2 (1996-1997) of the CNPHS survey |
WHO cut- points |
A total of 12.8% of older adults fell under the obese category |
North America | Overall, men were 37% more likely to be obese than women. Obesity was also more common among younger senior adults; less educated; unmarried; nonsmokers; infrequent and heavier alcohol users; physically inactive; more comorbidities; functional limitations; poorer self-rated health; and reporting psychological distress. Place of birth also predicted obesity. |
| Crimmins, E7 | 2005 | ≥ 65 y/o | Longitudinal | WHO cut- points |
Prevalence increased from 21.4% (1988-1994) to 30.8% (1999-2000) |
North America | NHANES III and IV data |
| Ford, ES9 | 2009 | 25 to 74 y/o | Cross-sectional | WHO cut- points |
Age adjusted prevalence of obesity: 11.1[1971-1975]; 10.9 [1976-1980]; 15.5 [1988-1994]; 19.3 [1999-2004] |
North America | NHANES |
| Bleich, SN5 | 2009 | ≥ 20 y/o | Cross sectional | WHO cut- points |
Prevalence of obesity reported at 22% [1988-1994] and 31% [1999-2004] |
North America | NHANES. Examines relationship between increased consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages with increasing prevalence of obesity |
| Lix, LM16 | 2009 | ≥ 20 y/o | Cross sectional study using 2 waves of the CCHS (2000-2001 and 2005-2006) |
WHO cut- points |
At baseline 20% of the population was obese. Between baseline and follow up there was an increase in prevalence of obesity but only for Aboriginal participants. Prevalence of obesity at baseline for Aboriginals was 20.2% (95% CI 18.1-22.4) and 18.5% (95% CI 15.9-21.0) for Non-Aboriginals. At follow-up the prevalence was 25.4 %( 95% CI 20.5-30.2) and 21.1 %( 18.3-23.9) for Aboriginals and Non-Aboriginals respectively. |
North America | Cover three regions of northern Canada. Variations in prevalence of obesity observed by ethnic group and region. |
| Cohen, JD6 | 2010 | 20 to 74 y/o | Analysis of trend using data from NHANES I, II and III |
WHO cut- points |
Mean BMI for each cross- section: 25.5(±5.0) [1976-1980]; 27.3(±5.9) [1988-1994]; 28.7(±6.6) [1999-2006]. Prevalence of obesity for each cross-section: 15%[1976-1980], 26% [1988-1994] and 34% [1999-2006]. |
North America | NHANES 1976-2006 data. Examined trends in serum lipids as main outcome. Only individuals with 1 or more total cholesterol or lipid results were included. |
| Flegal, KM8 | 2010 | ≥ 20 y/o | Analysis of trends using cross-sectional data from NHANES between 1999- 2000 and 2007-2008 |
WHO cut- points |
In 2007-2008 the age adjusted prevalence of obesity was 33.8% (95% CI 31.6%-63.0%). For men it was 32.2% (95% CI 29.5-35.0) and for women 35.5% (95% CI 33.2-37.7). |
North America | Differences observed by gender and race/ethnicity. Between 1999- 2000 and 2007-2008 a 4.7% increase in obesity for men and 2.1% increase for women were observed. Prevalence change for women was not significant. Prevalence of overweight and obesity was 68%. |
| Stenholm, S11 | 2010 | ≥ 60 y/o | Longitudinal study in Baltimore |
WHO cut- points |
Mean BMI for men of three different cohorts from the BLSA study: 24.2(±3) [1877-1899]; 25.2(±3.2) [1900-1919]; 27.5(±4.3) [1920-1943] |
North America | Secular increase in bodyweight in three cohorts of older white men in the US independent of body height. BLSA study |
| Ford, ES10 | 2011 | ≥ 20 y/o | Analysis of trends using cross-sectional data between 1999-2000 and 2007-2008 |
WHO cut- points |
Age adjust mean BMI for men 26.9 in 1999-2000 and 32% in 2007-2008; In women 33.2% in 1999-2000 and 35.2 in 2007- 2008 |
North America | Analyzes trends in obesity and abdominal obesity using NHANES data |
| Bruce, SG15 | 2010 | ≥ 18 y/o | Cross Sectional study using data from an Aboriginal group in Canada |
WHO cut- points |
A total of 56% of the sample were obese. A total of 50% of men and 65% of women were obese. |
North America | Analyses one group of Aboriginal. Aboriginals in Canada are considered to have poorer overall health compared to other ethnic groups in Canada. |
| Ruiz-Arregui, L19 |
2005 | ≥ 60 y/o | Cross sectional study using the first wave (2001) of the MHAS |
WHO cut- points |
Obesity was present in 20.9% of the total population. A total of 24.8% of women and 17.3% of men were obese. |
Latin America | Hypertension and limitations in walking were associated to higher prevalence of obesity |
| Monteiro, CA18 | 2007 | ≥ 20 y/o | Uses cross sectional data from 3 national surveys in Brazil (1975, 1989, 2003) to estimate trends in Obesity |
WHO cut- points |
Mean BMI Men: 22.4 SE 0.08 [1975], 23.5 SE 0.07 [1989], 24.6 SE 0.04 [2003]. Mean BMI Women: 23.0 SE 0.08 [1975], 24.5 SE 0.07 [1989], 24.7 SE 0.04 [2003]. Prevalence of obesity was 2.7% in 1975, 5.1% in 1989 and 8.8% in 2003 for men and 7.4%, 12.4% and 13% for women in the same years. |
Latin America | Obesity trends in men increased but in women remained the same between 1989 and 2003 compared to 1975-1989. Increases in obesity were more prevalent in lower SES quintiles for both men and women. |
| Al Snih, S44 | 2010 | ≥ 65 y/o | Cross sectional study using data from the SABE study that included 6 cities in Latin America and the Caribbean |
WHO cut- points, separates category I (BMI between 30 and 34.9) from category II and extreme obesity (BMI ≥ 35) |
Mean BMI for the different cities: Bridgetown, Barbados 26.9 (95% CI 26.4-27.3); Sao Paolo, Brazil 26.4 (95% CI 26.1-26.7); Santiago, Chile 27.7 (95% CI 27.2-28.2); Havana, Cuba 24.2 (95% CI 23.9-24.5); Mexico City, Mexico 27.5 (95% CI 27.1- 27.8); Montevideo, Uruguay 28.3 (95% CI 27.9, 28.8). The prevalence of category I obesity was: Bridgetown, Barbados 15.2% (95% CI 13.1-17.4); Sao Paolo, Brazil 17.6 (95% CI 15.5- 19.8); Santiago, Chile 22.9% (95% CI 20.1-25.8); Havana, Cuba 10.4% (95% CI 8.4-12.4); Mexico City, Mexico 21.3% (95% CI 18.2-24.4); Montevideo, Uruguay 21.9% (18.5-25.3). The range for category II and extreme obesity was between 2.9% and 15.7%. |
Latin America | Obesity is an independent factor contributing to ADL disability. Category I and Category II obesity are presented separately. We added both percentages to report prevalence of obesity overall. |
| Morabia, A26 | 2005 | 35-74 y/o | Cross-sectional yearly interviews of people in Switzerland between 1993- 2003 |
WHO cut- points |
Prevalence of obesity increased from 9% in 1993 to 15% in 2003 in men; in women it increased from 7% to 11%. |
Europe | Age adjusted trends. |
| Andreyeva, T21 | 2007 | ≥ 50 y/o | Cross sectional data study using data from the first wave of SHARE (2004) a panel study including eleven countries in Europe. |
WHO cut- points |
Obesity was present in 16.2% of men and 17.8% of women. The prevalence for each country was as follows: 17.9% in Austria, 14%in Denmark, 15.1% in France, 16.9% in Germany, 16.8% in Greece, 15.2% in Italy, 13% in the Netherlands, 20.2% in Spain, 12.8% in Sweden, 13% in Switzerland; for women the prevalence was: 19.7% in Austria, 13.3%in Denmark, 15.1% in France, 17.4% in Germany, 21.9% in Greece, 17.1% in Italy, 16.5% in the Netherlands, 25.6% in Spain, 14.4% in Sweden, 12.3% in Switzerland |
Europe | |
| Charles, MA22 | 2008 | ≥ 18 y/o | Uses cross sectional data from 4 national surveys in France (1997, 2000, 2003, 2006) to examine trends in obesity |
WHO cut- points |
Prevalence of obesity increased from 8.6% (95% CI 8.2-8.8) in 1997 to 13.1% (95% CI 12.7- 13.5) in 2006. |
Europe | Parallel increase in obesity trends for men and women between 1997-2003 but slightly lower in men between 2003-2006. |
| Lang, IA25 | 2008 | ≥ 65 y/o | Longitudinal study using data from ELSA to predict mortality and disability by BMI status |
WHO cut- points |
Prevalence of obesity at baseline was 19.4% for men and 28.9% for women. |
Europe | Obesity at baseline was related to higher risk of mortality and disability. |
| Kotseva, K20 | 2009 | <= 70 y/o | Cross sectional study using EUROASPIRE I,II and III data |
WHO cut- points |
Age and diagnosis adjusted: 25% [95-96]; 32.6% [99-00]; 38% [06-07] |
Europe | EUROASPIRE I-III are cross- sectional studies conducted in acute hospital in 8 European countries (Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, and Slovenia) to identify prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. Interviews were conducted in 1995-96, 1999-2000 and 2006-07. Large variation by country was observed. Euroaspire studies are hospital based convenient samples |
| Dugravot, A23 | 2010 | 45-65 y/o | Longitudinal | WHO cut- points |
Obesity rates for men were 3.4% and 7.7% for managers and unskilled workers respectively at age 45 and 9.5% and 18.1% for managers and unskilled workers respectively at age 65. Statistically significant increases in BMI trajectories in 20 year period for men and women by education and occupation category. |
Europe | Examined socioeconomic differences in trajectories of BMI and obesity between age 45 and 65 in France. |
| Hubbard, RE24 | 2010 | ≥ 65 y/o | Cross Sectional study using wave 2 (2004) of the ELSA study |
WHO cut- points |
Mean BMI for the sample was 27.5 (95% CI 27.4-27.7). Prevalence of obesity was 29.1% for women and 23.4% in men. |
Europe | Analyzed the relationship between BMI and frailty and examined differences by Frailty definition used. |
| Gomez- Cabello, A27 |
2011 | ≥ 65 y/o | Longitudinal Study in Spain | WHO cut- points |
Prevalence of obesity was 40.9% for women and 26.6% for men, the overall rate was 37.6% |
Europe | Differences reported using waist circumference, BMI and body fat. |
| Banks, J99 | 2006 | 55-64 y/o | Cross sectional data from two studies: 2002 HRS in the US and 2002 ELSA in the UK |
WHO cut- points |
Prevalence is 23.0% for the UK and 31.1% for the US. |
Comparison between regions - USA + Europe |
Significant difference at the .01 level, controlling for income and education |
| Michaud, PC28 | 2007 | ≥ 50 y/o | Cross sectional data comparing data from the HRS (2004) and the first wave of SHARE (2004) |
WHO cut- points |
Obesity was present in 30.7% of men in the USA and 17.6% in Europe and 37.9% of women in USA and 24.2% of women in Europe. The prevalence of obesity by European country for men was: 19.8% in Austria, 18.6% in Germany, 15.8% in Sweden, 15.3% in the Netherlands, 20.8% in Spain, 15.6% in Italy, 16.2% in France, 17.5% in Denmark and 19.2% in Greece. The prevalence of obesity by European country for women was: 26.9% in Austria, 22.9% in Germany, 21.5% in Sweden, 23.2% in the Netherlands, 33.6% in Spain, 23.4% in Italy, 20.3% in France, 18.2% in Sweden and 31.2% in Greece. |
Comparison between regions - USA + Europe |
BMI is corrected for self-report bias using formula derived from NHANES study (Cawley & Burkhauser, 2006) |
| Avendano, M100 |
2009 | 50-74 y/o | Cross sectional data in 2004 comparing three studies: HRS in USA, ELSA in England and SHARE in Europe |
WHO cut- points |
Prevalence of obesity: 28.8% in US, 26.1% in UK and 17.8% in Europe |
Comparison between regions - USA + Europe |
|
| Young, TK29 | 2007 | ≥ 18 y/o | Cross sectional study using 4 studies of Inuit people (1 in Alaska, 2 in Canada and 1 in Greenland) conducted between 1990 and 2001 |
WHO cut- points |
A total of 15.8% of Inuit men had obesity while 25.5% of women had obesity. |
Multi-country study of Inuit people |
No significant differences between countries were observed |
| Stewart, ST3 | 2009 | ≥ 18 y/o | Uses cross sectional data to estimate trends in Obesity and estimate impact on mortality in 2020 |
WHO cut- points |
25.2 [1973-1979]; 26.5 [1990]; 27.9 [2000]; 28.3 [2005] |
North America | Forecasts of life expectancy in the United States for a representative 18-year old assuming trends in smoking and BMI remain constant. Project 45% of US population will be obese by 2020. NHANES |
CNPHS = Canadian National Population Health Survey
NHANES = National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (USA)
ELSA = English Longitudinal Study of Ageing
SHARE = Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe
SABE = Health, Well-being and Ageing Survey (Latin America and the Caribbean)
MHAS = Mexican Health and Ageing Study