[Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Cantabria [Spain]]. / Prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad en Cantabria.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Cantabria (Spain). METHODS: In the framework of the CANHTABRIA study, carried out in 2002-2004, measurements of height and weight were performed on a representative sample of 1197 subjects aged 18 years or over. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of overweight was 37.6% (95%CI: 34.2-41); 43.8% (95%CI: 37.2-50.5) in males, and 32.4% (95%CI: 28.6-36.1) in females (p<0.01). Prevalence of obesity was 22.3% (95%CI: 19.1-25.5); 23.2% (95%CI: 16.9-29.5) in males, and 21.5% (95%CI: 18.3-24.8) in females. Compared to persons with higher education, individuals with lowest level of education had two-fold higher prevalence of overweight and obesity. CONCLUSIONS: The Increase in weight is a public health problem in Cantabria as it affects 6 out of 10 adults of the general population, mainly males and individuals with low educational level.

Prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad en Cantabria / Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Cantabria [Spain]

Objetivo: Estimar la prevalencia del sobrepeso y la obesidaden Cantabria.Métodos: En el marco del estudio CANHTABRIA, se realizaron,entre los años 2002 y 2004, mediciones de peso y tallaa una muestra de1.197 sujetos 18 años de edad representativade la población general.Resultados: La prevalencia de sobrepeso fue del 37,6%(intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC95%]: 34,2-41), en hombresun 43,8% (IC95%: 37,2-50,5) y en mujeres un 32,4%(IC95%: 28,6-36,1; p < 0,01). La prevalencia de obesidad fuedel 22,3% (IC95%: 19,1-25,5), un 23,2% (IC95%: 16,9-29,5)en hombres y un 21,5% (IC95%: 18,3-24,8) en mujeres. Elsobrepeso y la obesidad fueron 2 veces más frecuentes enlas personas con menor nivel de estudios respecto a las demayor nivel.Conclusiones: El aumento de peso constituye un importanteproblema de salud pública en Cantabria, ya que afecta a6 de cada 10 adultos de su población general, especialmentehombres y personas con menor nivel educativo(AU)

Objetive: To estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesityin Cantabria (Spain).Methods: In the framework of the CANHTABRIA study, carriedout in 2002-2004, measurements of height and weightwere performed on a representative sample of 1197 subjectsaged 18 years or over.Results: The overall prevalence of overweight was 37.6%(95%CI: 34.2-41); 43.8% (95%CI: 37.2-50.5) in males, and32.4% (95%CI: 28.6-36.1) in females (p < 0.01). Prevalenceof obesity was 22.3% (95%CI: 19.1-25.5); 23.2% (95%CI: 16.9-29.5) in males, and 21.5% (95%CI: 18.3-24.8) in females. Comparedto persons with higher education, individuals with lowestlevel of education had two-fold higher prevalence of overweigthand obesity.Conclusions: The Increase in weight is a public health problemin Cantabria as it affects 6 out of 10 adults of the generalpopulation, mainly males and individuals with low educationallevel(AU)