OBJECTIVE: Whether differences in obesity prevalences across social status levels have widened remains controversial. METHODS: We used German national health surveys (1990-1992 and 1998, n = 7,466 and 5,583, age 25-69 years) to estimate obesity prevalences and its associations with calendar year, age (25-39, 40-60, and 61-69), and educational level (low, middle, and high), as well as an interaction term (year x educational level) in men and women. We used multiple regression models, considering the sample design. RESULTS: Obesity prevalence in 1990 and 1998 was 18.1 (95% CI 16.5-19.7) and 19.9 (18.2-21.6) in men and 20.9 (19.2-22.6) and 21.6 (19.3-23.7) in women, with statistically significantly higher prevalences in higher age and lower education. A statistically significant increase of obesity prevalence was present only in men after adjustment for age and education. The increase seems to be highest in high-educated subjects. However, interaction was not statistically significant, except in middle compared to high-educated men (OR 0.67; 0.47-0.96). CONCLUSIONS: Obesity prevalence increased only moderately in Germany between 1990-1992 and 1998. There was a tendency of reduction of the social gradient in obesity instead of a widening.
OBJECTIVE: Whether differences in obesity prevalences across social status levels have widened remains controversial. METHODS: We used German national health surveys (1990-1992 and 1998, n = 7,466 and 5,583, age 25-69 years) to estimate obesity prevalences and its associations with calendar year, age (25-39, 40-60, and 61-69), and educational level (low, middle, and high), as well as an interaction term (year x educational level) in men and women. We used multiple regression models, considering the sample design. RESULTS:Obesity prevalence in 1990 and 1998 was 18.1 (95% CI 16.5-19.7) and 19.9 (18.2-21.6) in men and 20.9 (19.2-22.6) and 21.6 (19.3-23.7) in women, with statistically significantly higher prevalences in higher age and lower education. A statistically significant increase of obesity prevalence was present only in men after adjustment for age and education. The increase seems to be highest in high-educated subjects. However, interaction was not statistically significant, except in middle compared to high-educated men (OR 0.67; 0.47-0.96). CONCLUSIONS:Obesity prevalence increased only moderately in Germany between 1990-1992 and 1998. There was a tendency of reduction of the social gradient in obesity instead of a widening.
Authors: G B M Mensink; T Lampert; E Bergmann Journal: Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz Date: 2005-12 Impact factor: 1.513
Authors: J P Mackenbach; A E Kunst; F Groenhof; J K Borgan; G Costa; F Faggiano; P Józan; M Leinsalu; P Martikainen; J Rychtarikova; T Valkonen Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 1999-12 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: R Cooper; J Cutler; P Desvigne-Nickens; S P Fortmann; L Friedman; R Havlik; G Hogelin; J Marler; P McGovern; G Morosco; L Mosca; T Pearson; J Stamler; D Stryer; T Thom Journal: Circulation Date: 2000-12-19 Impact factor: 29.690
Authors: Rozemarijn Witkam; James M Gwinnutt; Jennifer Humphreys; Julie Gandrup; Rachel Cooper; Suzanne M M Verstappen Journal: SSM Popul Health Date: 2021-07-29
Authors: Steinar Krokstad; Linda Ernstsen; Erik R Sund; Johan Håkon Bjørngaard; Arnulf Langhammer; Kristian Midthjell; Turid Lingaas Holmen; Jostein Holmen; Håvard Thoen; Steinar Westin Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2013-10-19 Impact factor: 3.295