Original article
Prevalence of General Obesity and Abdominal Obesity in the Spanish Adult Population (Aged 25–64 Years) 2014–2015: The ENPE StudyPrevalencia de obesidad general y obesidad abdominal en la población adulta española (25–64 años) 2014–2015: estudio ENPE

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rec.2016.02.009Get rights and content

Abstract

Introduction and objectives

According to the 2013 analysis of the Institute of Health Metrics, high body mass index values are the most important risk factor for disease in Spain. Consequently, we describe the prevalence of total obesity and abdominal obesity in the Spanish adult population (25–64 years) for 2014-2015.

Methods

The sample was taken from the ENPE study, a cross-sectional study with a representative sample of the noninstitutionalized population (n = 6800) carried out between May 2014 and May 2015. This analysis refers to the population between age 25 and 64 years (n = 3966). The anthropometric measurements were performed by trained observers at participants’ homes according to standard international protocols. Body mass index ≥ 25 was defined as overweight and ≥ 30 as obesity. Abdominal obesity was classified as waist > 102 cm in men and > 88 cm in women.

Results

The estimated prevalence of overweight in the Spanish adult population (25–64 years) was 39.3% 95% confidence interval [95%CI], 35.7%-42.9%). The prevalence of general obesity was 21.6% (95%CI, 19.0%-24.2%) and, more specifically, was 22.8% (95%CI, 20.6%-25.0%) among men and 20.5% (95%CI, 18.5%-22.5%) among women, and rose with age. The prevalence of abdominal obesity was estimated at 33.4% (95%CI, 31.1%-35.7%) and was higher among women (43.3%; 95%CI, 41.1%-45.8%) than among men (23.3%; 95%CI, 20.9%-25.5%), and also rose with age.

Conclusions

The prevalence of general obesity and abdominal obesity in Spain is high, although the distribution differs according to autonomous community. A comparison with earlier data reveals a considerable increase in overweight, indicating the need for routine monitoring and comprehensive initiatives.

Resumen

Introducción y objetivos

Según el análisis de 2013 del Institute of Health Metrics, valores elevados de índice de masa corporal son el primer factor de riesgo de carga de enfermedad en España. Con base en este punto de interés, se describe la prevalencia de obesidad total y obesidad abdominal en la población adulta española (25-64 años) en 2014-2015.

Métodos

La muestra procede del estudio ENPE, estudio transversal en muestra representativa de la población no institucionalizada (n = 6.800), realizado entre mayo de 2014 y mayo de 2015. Este análisis se refiere a población entre 25 y 64 años (n = 3.966). Observadores entrenados realizaron las mediciones antropométricas en los domicilios según protocolos internacionales estandarizados. Se consideró sobrepeso valores de índice de masa corporal ≥ 25 y obesidad, índice de masa corporal ≥ 30. La obesidad abdominal se tipificó para valores de cintura > 102 cm en varones y > 88 cm en mujeres.

Resultados

La prevalencia de sobrepeso estimada en la población adulta española (25–64 años) es del 39,3% (intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC95%], 35,7-42,9%); la de obesidad general, del 21,6% (IC95%, 19,0-24,2%), el 22,8% (IC95%, 20,6-25,0%) entre los varones y el 20,5% (IC95%, 18,5-22,5%) entre las mujeres, y aumenta con la edad. La prevalencia de obesidad abdominal se estima en el 33,4% (IC95%, 31,1-35,7%), mayor entre las mujeres (el 43,3%; IC95%, 41,1-45,8%) que entre los varones (el 23,3%; IC95%, 20,9-25,5%), y también aumenta con la edad.

Conclusiones

Las prevalencias de obesidad general y obesidad abdominal en España son altas, aunque con distribución desigual por comunidades autónomas. La comparación con datos precedentes plantea un aumento importante de la sobrecarga ponderal, lo que indica la necesidad de vigilancia sistemática y acciones integradas.

Section snippets

INTRODUCTION

The large overall rise in obesity is one of the most difficult public health challenges faced by current society, a situation that not only affects higher income countries, but is also worsening in countries with low and middle income levels.1 According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the world prevalence of obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30) has almost doubled between 1980 and 2014. Around the world, overweight and obesity are associated with more deaths than low weight.1

High BMI and

METHODS

All data were taken from the ENPE study (Spanish acronym for the Nutritional Study of the Spanish Population), a cross-sectional observational study designed to collect recent data on consumer dietary habits, anthropometric data, and physical activity in the noninstitutionalized Spanish population older than 3 years. The study was carried out in a representative probabilistic sample (n = 6800) selected by a random multistep procedure, performed in 3 phases, with stratification of the units from

RESULTS

Table 1 describes the study group by sex, age, educational level, and autonomous community. Valid anthropometric data were available for 3801 participants (1863 men and 1938 women), which accounted for 95.8% of the participating sample (96.9% of men and 94.7% of women). Weight was significantly higher in men aged 25 to 34 years and the following age bracket of 35 to 44 years, whereas among women, it increased significantly as they grew older. Height gradually dropped with age in both men and

DISCUSSION

The ENPE study estimated prevalences of overweight of 39.3% and general obesity of 21.6% in the Spanish adult population aged 25 to 64 years. These data are consistent with the estimates obtained in the ENRICA study for 2008-2010,20 a study which estimated a prevalence of 22.9% for obesity in the Spanish population older than 18 years. In contrast, a significant rise in overweight was observed in the Spanish adult population compared with the data reported by the DORICA study in 2003,19 which

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of general obesity and AO in Spain is high, although its distribution is uneven among the various autonomous communities. A comparison with earlier data reveals a large increase in overweight, which appears to have stabilized, according to recent estimates. This indicates a need for better routine monitoring, especially in high-risk groups, as well as a need to implement general preventive strategies targeting the entire population, and specific health care actions for affected

FUNDING

The ENPE study was funded by the Eroski Foundation through an agreement with SPRIM and the Spanish Society of Community Nutrition (SENC). The sponsor was not involved in the study design, data collection, analysis or interpretation of the results, manuscript preparation, or the decision to publish the results.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

S. Lázaro-Masedo and N. Ramos-Carrera are affiliated with SPRIM, which has carried out consulting activities for Fundación Eroski.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their appreciation for the technical and logistic support of the SIGMA DOS company, the technical support provided by SPRIM-España, the sponsorship of the Eroski Foundation and, most specially, the work undertaken by the field professionals and the kind cooperation of the people who agreed to participate in the study.

WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE TOPIC?

  • -

    According to the 2013 analysis of the Institute of Health Metrics, a high BMI is the first risk factor for disease in Spain.

  • -

    There is evidence that

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