Introduction

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusions

References

Abstract

Objective. To investigate the epidemiological features of obesity in rural Northeast China. Design. This was a 2017–۲۰۱۸ cross-sectional study of 10,891 participants aged ≥۴۰ years that was designed to investigate the prevalence of obesity in rural areas of Liaoning Province. Demographic data, biochemical parameters, and physical examinations were completed by well-trained personnel. Logistic regression analyses were then carried out to investigate independent risk factors and associated cardiometabolic comorbidities of obesity. Results. The proportions of general obesity only, central obesity only, and combined obesity were 1.0%, 31.3%, and 17.4%, respectively. Overall, 49.8% of our subjects were obese. Female gender, being married, being separated/divorced/widowed, or eating more meat were significantly associated with obesity. Smoking, higher family income, or regular physical exercise were negatively associated with obesity. General obesity only was significantly correlated with hypertension, diabetes, and high triglycerides (OR = 2.79, OR = 2.79, and OR = 3.37, resp.). General obesity only was irrelevant to high total cholesterol, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, although central obesity only, or combined obesity, was relevant to these factors. Prehypertension and prediabetes showed a positive association with different types of obesity. Conclusions. We identified a high prevalence of general and central obesity in rural Northeast China, with similar independent risk factors. Participants with combined obesity had the highest risk of cardiometabolic comorbidities, indicating that the combined use of both waist circumference and body mass index is useful in practice.

Introduction

Obesity is now a worldwide epidemic, with an estimated 57.8% of adults worldwide expected to be classified as obese by 2030 according to figures released by the World Health Organization (WHO) [1]. Obesity is characterized by an excessive accumulation of body fat that gives rise to significant comorbidities, such as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease, and many cancers [2–۴]. Therefore, obesity is invariably referred to as a crucial public health problem that requires urgent attention in order to prevent obesity-related health outcomes. Although body mass index (BMI) is a simple index that is commonly used for classifying obesity, it has inherent limitations that can lead to some obese individuals being disregarded [5]. Recently, evidence has been growing to suggest that an additional indicator of central obesity, waist circumference (WC), may be more closely associated with metabolic risks compared to BMI because it reflects body fat distribution and upper body adiposity [6, 7]. However, this remains debatable as a recent study reported that the predictive values of BMI and WC for obesity were equivalent [8]. Consequently, there is a suggestion that both BMI and WC should be taken into consideration and adopted when investigating the associations between obesity and risk factors. We believe that the combined use of both WC and BMI allows more accurate monitoring of obesity.