[Prevalence of obesity in subjects aged 50 years and over in Tehran]

ABSTRACT

Overweight and obesity are major health problems affecting communities worldwide and the prevalence is rapidly rising. Although the prevalence of obesity in Iran has been reported, there are no data available on the prevalence of these factors in individuals aged over 50 years, individuals who are naturally more prone to cardiovascular diseases and death. This study aims at determining the prevalence of overweight and obesity in this high risk age group. In this investigation, data for 3391 individuals aged >/= 50 y, participants of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose study, was collected and assessed. Overall 1566 men [46.2%] and 1825 women [53.8%] were studied. The mean age for women was 59.8 +/- 7.2y and that for men was 62 +/- 7.9y. Average weight for males was 73 +/- 11.9 kg. and for females was 68.6 +/- 11.8 kg. On the whole prevalence of abnormal BMI [>/= 25 kg/mg2] was 73.3% [CI 95%, 71.8-74.8%]; of these 44.1% [CI 95%, 42.4-45.8%] were overweight and 29.2% [CI 95%, 27.7-30.8%] were obese. Percentages for overweight were 82% and 63.2% for women and men respectively. To conclude the prevalence of obesity and overweight in those aged over 50 years are rapidly rising. It is highly recommended that interventions for lifestyle changes be implemented in this high risk age group