Obesity prevalence from a European perspective: a systematic review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Obesity has been recognised as an important contributing factor in the development of various diseases, but comparative data on this condition are limited. We therefore aimed to identify and discuss current epidemiological data on th...

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Main Authors: Sharma Arya M, Apovian Caroline M, Reinhold Thomas, Pischon Tobias, Berghöfer Anne, Willich Stefan N
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2008-06-01
Series:BMC Public Health
Online Access:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/8/200
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author Sharma Arya M
Apovian Caroline M
Reinhold Thomas
Pischon Tobias
Berghöfer Anne
Willich Stefan N
author_facet Sharma Arya M
Apovian Caroline M
Reinhold Thomas
Pischon Tobias
Berghöfer Anne
Willich Stefan N
author_sort Sharma Arya M
collection DOAJ
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Obesity has been recognised as an important contributing factor in the development of various diseases, but comparative data on this condition are limited. We therefore aimed to identify and discuss current epidemiological data on the prevalence of obesity in European countries.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We identified relevant published studies by means of a MEDLINE search (1990–2008) supplemented by information obtained from regulatory agencies. We only included surveys that used direct measures of weight and height and were representative of each country's overall population.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In Europe, the prevalence of obesity (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m<sup>2</sup>) in men ranged from 4.0% to 28.3% and in women from 6.2% to 36.5%. We observed considerable geographic variation, with prevalence rates in Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe being higher than those in Western and Northern Europe.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In Europe, obesity has reached epidemic proportions. The data presented in our review emphasise the need for effective therapeutic and preventive strategies.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-83d14e1b357d4783b8cf59bba62801ed2022-12-22T01:17:58ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582008-06-018120010.1186/1471-2458-8-200Obesity prevalence from a European perspective: a systematic reviewSharma Arya MApovian Caroline MReinhold ThomasPischon TobiasBerghöfer AnneWillich Stefan N<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Obesity has been recognised as an important contributing factor in the development of various diseases, but comparative data on this condition are limited. We therefore aimed to identify and discuss current epidemiological data on the prevalence of obesity in European countries.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We identified relevant published studies by means of a MEDLINE search (1990–2008) supplemented by information obtained from regulatory agencies. We only included surveys that used direct measures of weight and height and were representative of each country's overall population.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In Europe, the prevalence of obesity (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m<sup>2</sup>) in men ranged from 4.0% to 28.3% and in women from 6.2% to 36.5%. We observed considerable geographic variation, with prevalence rates in Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe being higher than those in Western and Northern Europe.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In Europe, obesity has reached epidemic proportions. The data presented in our review emphasise the need for effective therapeutic and preventive strategies.</p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/8/200
spellingShingle Sharma Arya M
Apovian Caroline M
Reinhold Thomas
Pischon Tobias
Berghöfer Anne
Willich Stefan N
Obesity prevalence from a European perspective: a systematic review
BMC Public Health
title Obesity prevalence from a European perspective: a systematic review
title_full Obesity prevalence from a European perspective: a systematic review
title_fullStr Obesity prevalence from a European perspective: a systematic review
title_full_unstemmed Obesity prevalence from a European perspective: a systematic review
title_short Obesity prevalence from a European perspective: a systematic review
title_sort obesity prevalence from a european perspective a systematic review
url http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/8/200
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AT reinholdthomas obesityprevalencefromaeuropeanperspectiveasystematicreview
AT pischontobias obesityprevalencefromaeuropeanperspectiveasystematicreview
AT berghoferanne obesityprevalencefromaeuropeanperspectiveasystematicreview
AT willichstefann obesityprevalencefromaeuropeanperspectiveasystematicreview