OBJECTIVE: To describe the distribution of body fat, prevalence of obesity, and knowledge of cardiovascular disease in Canadian adults. DESIGN: Population-based, cross-sectional surveys. SETTING: Ten Canadian provinces between 1986 and 1992. PARTICIPANTS: A probability sample of 29,855 men and women aged 18 to 74 years was selected using health insurance registration files in each province. Anthropometry was performed on 19,841 (66%) of these adults. OUTCOME MEASURES: Body mass index (BMI); waist circumference; ratio of waist to hip circumference; knowledge of causes of heart disease. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of obesity (BMI > or = 27 kg/m2) increased with age and was greater in men (35%) than in women (27%). Abdominal obesity was also higher in men and increased with both age and BMI. Canadians with lower levels of education had a higher prevalence of obesity, which appeared at a young age. Canadians in Atlantic Canada mentioned lack of exercise, poor diet and smoking as causes of heart disease less frequently than those living in central or western Canada. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity continues to be common among Canadian adults. Policy and programs to promote healthy body weights must be intensified and directed at specific sociodemographic groups.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the distribution of body fat, prevalence of obesity, and knowledge of cardiovascular disease in Canadian adults. DESIGN: Population-based, cross-sectional surveys. SETTING: Ten Canadian provinces between 1986 and 1992. PARTICIPANTS: A probability sample of 29,855 men and women aged 18 to 74 years was selected using health insurance registration files in each province. Anthropometry was performed on 19,841 (66%) of these adults. OUTCOME MEASURES: Body mass index (BMI); waist circumference; ratio of waist to hip circumference; knowledge of causes of heart disease. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of obesity (BMI > or = 27 kg/m2) increased with age and was greater in men (35%) than in women (27%). Abdominal obesity was also higher in men and increased with both age and BMI. Canadians with lower levels of education had a higher prevalence of obesity, which appeared at a young age. Canadians in Atlantic Canada mentioned lack of exercise, poor diet and smoking as causes of heart disease less frequently than those living in central or western Canada. CONCLUSIONS:Obesity continues to be common among Canadian adults. Policy and programs to promote healthy body weights must be intensified and directed at specific sociodemographic groups.
Authors: Nancy A Ross; Stephane Tremblay; Saeeda Khan; Daniel Crouse; Mark Tremblay; Jean-Marie Berthelot Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2007-01-31 Impact factor: 9.308