Table 1.
Characteristics of the study population by baseline (Phase 1) body weight
| Baseline weight | Normal weight (BMI < 25) % | Overweight (25 < =BMI < 30) % | Obese (BMI= > 30) % | Total n |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participated | ||||
| Phase 1 | 54 | 32 | 14 | 6913 |
| Phase 2 | 54 | 32 | 14 | 5810 |
| Phase 3 | 54 | 32 | 14 | 5400 |
| Age (baseline)** | ||||
| 40 | 24 | 15 | 16 | 1400 |
| 45 | 24 | 20 | 19 | 1500 |
| 50 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 1523 |
| 55 | 21 | 27 | 31 | 1691 |
| 60 | 9 | 15 | 14 | 797 |
| Mean age | 48.2 | 50.1 | 50.2 | |
| Education (baseline)** | ||||
| Compulsory education only | 17 | 26 | 27 | 1455 |
| Secondary education | 53 | 55 | 56 | 3724 |
| Higher education | 29 | 19 | 17 | 1668 |
| P value | ||||
| Working full-time | ||||
| Phase 1 | 93 | 94 | 93 | 0.250 |
| Phase 2 | 74 | 64 | 62 | <0.001 |
| Phase 3 | 56 | 42 | 37 | <0.001 |
| Married or cohabiting | ||||
| Phase 1 | 68 | 69 | 64 | 0.037 |
| Phase 2 | 66 | 66 | 61 | 0.007 |
| Phase 3 | 65 | 63 | 57 | 0.001 |
| Low net household income | ||||
| Phase 1 | 24 | 26 | 32 | <0.001 |
| Phase 2 | 22 | 27 | 29 | <0.001 |
| Phase 3 | 20 | 26 | 29 | <0.001 |
| Below poverty line | ||||
| Phase 1 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 0,018 |
| Phase 2 | 13 | 15 | 19 | <0.001 |
| Phase 3 | 8 | 11 | 14 | <0.001 |
| Frequent economic difficulties | ||||
| Phase 1 | 20 | 24 | 29 | <0.001 |
| Phase 2 | 18 | 21 | 29 | <0.001 |
| Phase 3 | 16 | 20 | 27 | <0.001 |
| Low wealth+ | ||||
| Phase 2 | 19 | 22 | 29 | <0.001 |
| Phase 3 | 17 | 21 | 27 | <0.001 |
| Low personal income* | ||||
| Phase 1 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 0,003 |
| Phase 2 | 17 | 24 | 24 | <0.001 |
| Phase 3 | 17 | 23 | 26 | <0.001 |
P values: differences between baseline weight groups (from χ2 test)
*subgroup = only those who consented to record linkage and were employed by the Helsinki City throughout the study period (Phase 1 N = 4629, Phase 2 N = 3759, Phase 3 N = 2507)
**Total 100% in columns
+ = no data from Phase 1