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Erschienen in: BMC Public Health 1/2019

Open Access 01.12.2019 | Research article

The prevalence and increasing trends of overweight, general obesity, and abdominal obesity among Chinese adults: a repeated cross-sectional study

verfasst von: Yongjie Chen, Qin Peng, Yu Yang, Senshuang Zheng, Yuan Wang, Wenli Lu

Erschienen in: BMC Public Health | Ausgabe 1/2019

Abstract

Background

The prevalence of general and abdominal obesity has increased rapidly in China. The aims of this study were to estimate the dynamic prevalence of overweight, general obesity, and abdominal obesity and the distribution of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) among Chinese adults.

Methods

Data were obtained from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS). According to the suggestions of the WHO for Chinese populations, overweight was defined as a 23 kg/m2 ≤ BMI < 27.5 kg/m2 and general obesity as a BMI ≥ 27.5 kg/m2. Abdominal obesity was defined as a WC ≥ 90 cm for males and ≥ 80 cm for females. Grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3 obesity were defined as 27.5 kg/m2 ≤ BMI < 32.5 kg/m2, 32.5 kg/m2 ≤ BMI < 37.5 kg/m2, and BMI ≥ 37.5 kg/m2, respectively. Generalized estimation equations were used to estimate the prevalence and trends of overweight, general and abdominal obesity.

Results

This study included 12,543 participant. From 1989 to 2011, the median BMI of males and females increased by 2.65 kg/m2 and 1.90 kg/m2, respectively; and WC increased by 8.50 cm and 7.00 cm, respectively. In 2011, the age-adjusted prevalence of overweight, general obesity, and abdominal obesity were 38.80% (95% CI: 37.95–39.65%), 13.99% (95% CI: 13.38–14.59%), and 43.15% (95% CI: 42.28–44.01%), respectively, and significantly increased across all cycles of the survey among all subgroups (all P < 0.0001). The age-adjusted prevalence of grade 1–3 obesity significantly increased in total sample and sex subgroups (all P < 0.0001). For all indicators, there were significant increases in annual ORs among all subgroups (all P < 0.0001), with the exception of grade 2 obesity. Significant differences were observed in ORs across the three age groups in males. And ORs significantly decreased with age.

Conclusions

The age-adjusted prevalence of overweight, general obesity, and abdominal obesity significantly increased among Chinese adults from 1989 to 2011. The obesity population is trending toward an increased proportion of males and younger individuals in China.
Hinweise

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Abkürzungen
BMI
Body mass index
CCDC
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
CHNS
China Health Nutrition Survey
CI
Confident interval
NYRBS
National Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance
ORs
Odds ratios
WC
Waist circumference

Background

Overweight and obesity are important lifestyle-related public health problems worldwide [1, 2]. Since obesity is associated with the common chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and certain types of cancer, and considered as the fifth leading risk factors for mortality globally [28], obesity-related issues have drawn more and more attention from researchers in recent decades. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate and monitor the trends in the prevalence of overweight and obesity to improve awareness and make preventive strategies in the public health field.
In recent years, the prevalence of overweight and obesity has reached epidemic proportions in China [9, 10]. Approximately 20% obesity individuals worldwide are Chinese [11]. The considerable increase in the prevalence of obesity is attributed to the adoption of a Western lifestyle and decreased physical activity [12]. The traditional Chinese diet, characterized by a high carbohydrate content composed of rice, wheat, and cooked vegetables, is shifting to a diet with higher fat [13, 14]. The high intake of energy and fat combined with a decrease in physical activity are responsible for the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in the Chinese population, especially among urban inhabitants [15, 16]. Depicting the trends in the prevalence of obesity will help elucidate the prevalence of obesity-related chronic diseases and alert health care professionals and the public to prevent the epidemic.
Body mass index (BMI) is a common indicator used to identify general obesity [9]. Waist circumference (WC) can provide information on the distribution of body fat and is strongly correlated with central fat localization [1719]. Therefore, BMI and WC were used to define general and abdominal obesity in this study, respectively. Since ethnicities and dietary patterns are different in different countries, the prevalence and extent of obesity vary. Previous studies have reported that Asians have higher body fat content than Western people with the same BMI [20, 21]. Therefore, specific cut-offs of BMI should be used to define overweight and obesity in different countries. In this study, ethnicity-based cut-offs for BMI were used to define overweight and obesity according to the WHO recommendations for Chinese people. Based on the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), the aims of this study were to investigate the trends in the prevalence of overweight, general obesity, and abdominal obesity as well as the distributions of BMI and WC among the Chinese population. As a result, this study would provide more comprehensive and accurate evidence of the trend and distribution of general and abdominal obesity during the last three decades in China.

Methods

Study design

As an ongoing open cohort and international collaborative project between the Carolina Population Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the National Institute for Nutrition and Health (NINH, formerly the National Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety) at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CCDC), the CHNS was designed to examine the effects of the health, nutrition, and family planning policies and programs implemented by national and local governments. Furthermore, how the social and economic transformation of the Chinese society is affecting the health and nutritional status of its population is explored in this survey. Nine provinces varying substantially in geography, economic development, public resources, and health indicators are covered in the CHNS. A multistage, random cluster process was used to obtain the samples in each province. Counties in the nine provinces were stratified by income (low, middle, and high). And a weighted sampling scheme was used to randomly select four counties from each province. In addition, the provincial capital and a lower income city were selected when feasible; however, other large cities rather than provincial capitals had to be selected in two provinces. Villages and townships within the counties and urban/suburban neighborhoods within the cities were selected randomly. The sample is diverse, with variation in a wide-ranging set of socioeconomic factors (income, employment, education, and modernization) and other related health, nutritional, and demographic measures. Because of the long duration and wide geographic coverage, the CHNS can represent the population demographics of China and document the dramatic economic, social, behavioral, and health status changes that have impacted China. The first round of the CHNS was conducted in 1989, and the survey was subsequently conducted in 1991, 1993, 1997, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2009, and 2011. A detailed description of the survey design and procedures has been published elsewhere [22].

Study population

Data were obtained from all nine waves of the CHNS conducted from 1989 to 2011. The inclusion criteria was as following: those aged ≥18 years at baseline; those with available data on sex and detailed physical examination (e.g., weight and height). The exclusion criteria was as following: those being pregnant or lactating at the time of survey; and those with missing or implausible outlying data (e.g., weight > 300 kg or < 20 kg, WC < 20 cm).

Measurements and definitions of overweight, general obesity, and abdominal obesity

Weight, height, and WC were measured by trained healthcare workers following standardized protocols and performed at the same location as well as followed the same protocol at each survey visit. Height was measured to the nearest 0.1 cm without wearing shoes using a portable stadiometer. Weight was measured to the nearest 0.1 kg using a calibrated beam scale while wearing lightweight clothing. BMI was calculated as weight (in kg) divided by the square of height (in m). WC was measured at a point midway between the lowest rib and the iliac crest in a horizontal plane using nonelastic tape.
Since the WHO proposed the additional trigger points to define overweight and obesity for public health action in Asian populations, it was more significant to reflect the trends of overweight and obesity according to the suggestions of the WHO for Chinese population [23]. Therefore, overweight was defined as a 23.0 kg/m2 ≤ BMI < 27.5 kg/m2, and general obesity was defined as a BMI ≥ 27.5 kg/m2. Abdominal obesity was defined as a WC ≥ 90 cm for males and ≥ 80 cm for females. Grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3 obesity were defined as 27.5 kg/m2 ≤ BMI < 32.5 kg/m2, 32.5 kg/m2 ≤ BMI < 37.5 kg/m2, and BMI ≥ 37.5 kg/m2, respectively [23].

Statistical analysis

Data are reported as the median (interquartile range) for BMI and WC and the frequency and percent (95% confidence interval (CI)) for overweight, general obesity, grade 1–3 obesity, and abdominal obesity. Since there was clustering for the subjects from the same household, generalized estimated equations were employed to correct the random effect and analyze the linear trends in the prevalence of overweight, general and abdominal obesity [24, 25]. Analyses were stratified by sex and age, which was defined as 18–39 years, 40–59 years, and ≥ 60 years. Generalized linear mixed models were used to obtain the annual odds ratios (ORs) [26]. In this study, the direct method was used to obtain the age-adjusted prevalence of general and abdominal obesity. The data from the Chinese population census in 2010 were considered as the reference. First, the expected number of individuals with obesity was calculated as the prevalence of obesity in each age- subgroup multiplied by the number from the population censuses in the corresponding age- subgroup. Second, the total expected number of individuals with obesity was calculated as the sum of the expected number of obesity individuals in each age- subgroup. Third, the age-adjusted prevalence of obesity was calculated as the total expected number of obesity individuals divided by the total number of individuals from the population census. Similarly, the age-adjusted prevalence of overweight, grade 1–3 obesity, and abdominal obesity were obtained. All analyses were conducted in SAS 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). A two-tailed test was used, and the significance level was set at α = 0.05.

Results

The characteristics of the nine waves of the CHNS conducted from 1989 to 2011 are presented in Table 1. The sample sizes of the nine waves were 5080 in 1989, 8382 in 1991, 8017 in 1993, 8473 in 1997, 9374 in 2000, 9100 in 2004, 9039 in 2006, 9426 in 2009, and 12,543 in 2011.
Table 1
The characteristics of CHNS from 1989 to 2011
Characteristics
1989
1991
1993
1997
2000
2004
2006
2009
2011
N
5080
8382
8017
8473
9374
9100
9039
9426
12,543
Age
 18–39
4206(82.80)
4395(52.43)
3945(49.21)
3689(43.54)
3773(40.25)
2890(31.76)
2555(28.27)
2425(25.73)
2957(23.57)
 40–59
866(17.05)
2718(32.43)
2786(34.75)
3245(38.30)
3807(40.61)
4125(45.33)
4221(46.70)
4391(46.58)
5896(47.01)
 60–100
8(0.16)
1269(15.14)
1286(16.04)
1539(18.16)
1794(19.14)
2085(22.91)
2263(25.04)
2610(27.69)
3690(29.42)
Sex
 Males
2401(47.26)
4052(48.34)
3867(48.24)
4171(49.23)
4520(48.22)
4348(47.78)
4255(47.07)
4485(47.58)
5890(46.96)
 Females
2679(52.74)
4330(51.66)
4150(51.76)
4302(50.77)
4854(51.78)
4752(52.22)
4784(52.93)
4941(52.42)
6653(53.04)
CHNS China Health and Nutrition Survey
The trends in the distributions of BMI and WC from 1989 to 2011 are displayed in Table 2. The median BMI and WC at the follow- up were 23.31 kg/m2 and 80 cm, respectively. The median BMI increased significantly from 1989 to 2011 in all subgroups (all P < 0.0001). The median BMI increased by 2.65 kg/m2 in males and 1.90 kg/m2 in females. In the stratified analyses by age, there were linear increasing trends in all subgroups (all P < 0.0001), with the exception of the 18–39 years group in women, which did not fall within the linearly increasing trend. The trends in WC were similar with those in BMI. The median WC increased by 8.50 cm in men and 7.00 cm in women. Significant increases in the median WC were observed in all subgroups (all P < 0.0001).
Table 2
The distribution of body mass index and waist circumference among Chinese adults from the CHNS: 1989–2011
Indicators
1989
1991
1993
1997
2000
2003
2006
2009
2011
Z
P
n
M (Q)
n
M (Q)
n
M (Q)
n
M (Q)
n
M (Q)
n
M (Q)
n
M (Q)
n
M (Q)
n
M (Q)
BMI (kg/m2)
 Total
5080
21.20(3.06)
8382
21.20(3.58)
8017
21.40(3.62)
8473
21.80(4.04)
9374
22.40(4.36)
9100
22.60(4.53)
9039
22.80(4.47)
9426
23.04(4.63)
12,543
23.50(4.74)
61.74
<.0001
 Men
  Overall
2401
21.01(2.83)
4052
21.05(3.26)
3867
21.30(3.26)
4171
21.73(3.77)
4520
22.31(4.26)
4348
22.67(4.36)
4255
22.84(4.43)
4485
23.09(4.53)
5890
23.66(4.59)
47.09
<.0001
 Age (years)
  18–39
1969
20.91(2.73)
2150
20.87(2.90)
1918
21.05(2.93)
1888
21.47(3.34)
1878
21.97(3.90)
1413
22.27(4.13)
1219
22.50(4.19)
1189
22.57(4.86)
1354
23.39(5.15)
33.19
<.0001
  40–59
431
21.55(3.28)
1304
21.46(3.54)
1335
21.72(3.50)
1559
22.10(3.93)
1809
22.71(4.21)
1955
23.05(4.21)
1987
23.18(4.18)
2068
23.53(4.35)
2782
24.00(4.33)
26.43
<.0001
  60–100
1
22.96(0.00)
598
21.09(4.09)
614
21.21(4.08)
724
21.77(4.74)
833
22.23(4.86)
980
22.44(4.91)
1049
22.49(4.89)
1228
22.80(4.64)
1754
23.24(4.72)
11.12
<.0001
 Women
  Overall
2679
21.48(3.30)
4330
21.44(3.93)
4150
21.58(4.07)
4302
22.02(4.23)
4854
22.61(4.45)
4752
22.74(4.72)
4784
22.82(4.52)
4941
22.99(4.72)
6653
23.38(4.86)
40.47
<.0001
Age (years)
  18–39
2237
21.37(3.17)
2245
21.14(3.26)
2027
21.19(3.44)
1801
21.47(3.47)
1895
21.76(3.78)
1477
21.69(3.82)
1336
21.64(3.88)
1236
21.55(4.29)
1603
21.72(4.07)
15.49
<.0001
  40–59
435
22.07(3.88)
1414
22.04(4.52)
1451
22.31(4.42)
1686
22.73(4.41)
1998
23.48(4.30)
2170
23.42(4.45)
2234
23.41(4.40)
2323
23.61(4.38)
3114
24.03(4.56)
21.03
<.0001
  60–100
7
20.08(3.63)
671
21.27(5.05)
672
21.62(5.09)
815
22.03(5.33)
961
22.48(5.22)
1105
22.83(5.22)
1214
23.10(5.08)
1382
23.20(5.15)
1936
23.57(4.98)
11.12
<.0001
WC (cm)
 Total
8017
75.00(11.00)
8473
76.00(12.00)
9374
78.00(14.00)
9100
80.00(14.00)
9039
80.30(14.00)
9426
82.00(15.00)
12,543
83.50(14.80)
70.59
<.0001
 Men
 Overall
3867
75.00(12.00)
4171
78.00(13.00)
4520
80.00(13.00)
4348
82.00(14.00)
4255
82.40(14.00)
4485
84.00(14.00)
5890
86.00(13.80)
55.64
<.0001
 Age (years)
  18–39
1918
74.00(9.50)
1888
76.00(11.00)
1888
78.00(12.00)
1413
80.00(13.00)
1219
80.50(13.00)
1189
81.50(15.10)
1354
84.00(15.60)
34.70
<.0001
  40–59
1335
77.00(11.00)
1559
79.00(13.00)
1559
81.00(13.00)
1955
83.00(13.00)
1987
83.60(13.00)
2068
85.00(13.20)
2782
87.00(13.00)
33.55
<.0001
  60–100
614
78.00(13.00)
724
80.00(16.00)
724
82.00(15.00)
980
82.50(14.90)
1049
83.00(15.00)
1228
84.50(14.60)
1754
86.00(13.90)
15.56
<.0001
 Women
  Overall
4150
74.00(12.00)
4302
75.00(12.00)
4854
77.00(14.00)
4752
78.50(14.00)
4784
79.00(13.00)
4941
80.00(14.00)
6653
81.00(14.60)
45.51
<.0001
 Age (years)
  18–39
2027
72.00(9.00)
1801
72.00(10.00)
1895
74.00(11.00)
1477
74.00(11.00)
1477
74.00(10.50)
1477
75.00(13.00)
1603
76.00(12.80)
20.57
<.0001
  40–59
1451
76.00(13.00)
1686
77.00(12.00)
1998
80.00(13.00)
2170
80.00(13.00)
2170
80.00(13.00)
2170
81.00(12.80)
3114
82.00(13.30)
23.96
<.0001
  60–100
672
78.00(15.00)
815
79.00(16.00)
961
81.00(15.00)
1105
82.00(16.00)
1105
82.00(15.00)
1105
84.00(14.20)
1936
84.50(14.30)
14.42
<.0001
CHNS China Health and Nutrition Survey; BMI body mass index; WC waist circumference
The prevalence of overweight, general obesity, and abdominal obesity are reported in Table 3. In total, the age-adjusted prevalence of overweight increased significantly from 23.82 to 38.80% (P < 0.0001). The age- adjusted prevalence of overweight increased significantly from 16.49 to 42.04% in men (P < 0.0001) and from 27.44 to 36.06% in women (P < 0.0001). Moreover, the prevalence of overweight in men (95% CI: 40.78–43.30%) was greater than that in women (95% CI: 34.91–37.22%) in 2011. In all age groups, significant increases in the prevalence of overweight were observed in both men and women (P < 0.0001). Similarly, the age-adjusted prevalence of general obesity increased from 2.15 to 13.99% in total, from 1.46 to 14.99% in men, and from 2.78 to 13.22% in women (all P < 0.0001). There were significant increases in the prevalence of general obesity among all subgroups (all P < 0.0001). There were significant increases in the age-adjusted prevalence of abdominal obesity in the total sample (from 19.84 to 43.15%, P < 0.0001), in men (from 9.17 to 34.70%, P < 0.0001), and in women (from 29.75 to 50.75%, P < 0.0001). Compared to men, there was a higher prevalence of abdominal obesity among women across all age groups and cycles of surveys.
Table 3
The prevalence of overweight, obesity and abdominal obesity among Chinese adults from the CHNS: 1989–2011
Indicators
1989
1991
1993
1997
2000
2004
2006
2009
2011
Z
P
n
%(CI)
n
%(CI)
n
%(CI)
n
%(CI)
n
%(CI)
n
%(CI)
n
%(CI)
n
%(CI)
n
%(CI)
Overweight
 Total
1080
21.26 (20.13–22.38)
1983
23.66 (22.75–24.57)
2032
25.35 (24.39–26.30)
2469
29.14 (28.17–30.11)
3270
34.88 (33.92–35.85)
3335
36.65 (35.66–37.64)
3405
37.67 (36.67–38.67)
3654
38.77 (37.78–39.75)
5141
40.99 (40.13–41.85)
32.51
<.0001
 Adjusteda
1080
23.82 (22.65–25.00)
1983
24.15 (23.23–25.06)
2032
25.64 (24.68–26.59)
2469
28.93 (27.97–29.90)
3270
34.34 (33.38–35.30)
3335
35.38 (34.39–36.36)
3405
36.01 (35.02–37.00)
3654
36.27 (35.30–37.24)
5141
38.80 (37.95–39.65)
  
 Men
  Overall
422
17.58 (16.05–19.10)
839
20.71 (19.46–21.95)
885
22.89 (21.56–24.21)
1144
27.43 (26.07–28.78)
1529
33.83 (32.45–35.21)
1607
36.96 (35.52–38.39)
1640
38.54 (37.08–40.01)
1797
40.07 (38.63–41.50)
2535
43.04 (41.77–44.30)
29.03
<.0001
  Adjusteda
422
16.49 (15.01–17.97)
839
21.19 (19.93–22.45)
885
23.17 (21.84–24.50)
1144
27.38 (26.03–28.74)
1529
33.47 (32.10–34.85)
1607
36.26 (34.83–37.69)
1640
37.59 (36.14–39.05)
1797
38.36 (36.94–39.78)
2535
42.04 (40.78–43.30)
  
 Age (years)
  18–39
318
16.15 (14.52–17.78)
376
17.49 (15.88–19.09)
365
19.03 (17.27–20.79)
435
23.04 (21.14–24.94)
546
29.07 (27.02–31.13)
468
33.12 (30.67–35.58)
415
34.04 (31.38–36.70)
395
33.22 (30.54–35.90)
526
38.85 (36.25–41.44)
18.88
<.0001
  40–59
104
24.13 (20.09–28.17)
334
25.61 (23.24–27.98)
381
28.54 (26.12–30.96)
514
32.97 (30.64–35.30)
706
39.03 (36.78–41.28)
795
40.66 (38.49–42.84)
852
42.88 (40.70–45.05)
909
43.96 (41.82–46.09)
1298
46.66 (44.80–48.51)
14.74
<.0001
  60–100
0
0.00
129
21.57 (18.28–24.87)
139
22.64 (19.33–25.95)
195
26.93 (23.70–30.17)
277
33.25 (30.05–36.45)
344
35.10 (32.11–38.09)
373
35.56 (32.66–38.45)
493
40.15 (37.40–42.89)
711
40.54 (38.24–42.83)
9.80
<.0001
 Women
  Overall
658
24.56 (22.93–26.19)
1144
26.42 (25.11–27.73)
1147
27.64 (26.28–29.00)
1325
30.80 (29.42–32.18)
1741
35.87 (34.52–37.22)
1728
36.36 (35.00–37.73)
1765
36.89 (35.53–38.26)
1857
37.58 (36.23–38.93)
2606
39.17 (38.00–40.34)
17.18
<.0001
  Adjusteda
658
27.44 (25.75–29.13)
1144
26.90 (25.58–28.22)
1147
27.93 (26.56–29.29)
1325
30.40 (29.03–31.77)
1741
35.10 (33.76–36.45)
1728
34.50 (33.15–35.85)
1765
34.59 (33.24–35.94)
1857
34.27 (32.95–35.59)
2606
36.06 (34.91–37.22)
  
 Age (years)
  18–39
515
23.02 (21.28–24.77)
507
22.58 (20.85–24.31)
454
22.40 (20.58–24.21)
446
24.76 (22.77–26.76)
547
28.87 (26.83–30.91)
403
27.29 (25.01–29.56)
364
27.25 (24.86–29.63)
308
24.92 (22.51–27.33)
445
27.76 (25.57–29.95)
6.17
<.0001
  40–59
141
32.41 (28.02–36.81)
457
32.32 (29.88–34.76)
502
34.60 (32.15–37.04)
632
37.49 (35.17–39.80)
877
43.89 (41.72–46.07)
948
43.69 (41.60–45.77)
955
42.75 (40.70–44.80)
1037
44.64 (42.62–46.66)
1393
44.73 (42.99–46.48)
8.83
<.0001
  60–100
2
28.57 (0.00–62.04)
180
26.83 (23.47–30.18)
191
28.42 (25.01–31.83)
247
30.31 (27.15–33.46)
317
32.99 (30.01–35.96)
377
34.12 (31.32–36.91)
446
36.74(34.03–39.45)
512
37.05 (34.50–39.59)
768
39.67 (37.49–41.85)
5.90
<.0001
Obesity
 Total
100
1.97 (1.59–2.35)
331
3.95 (3.53–4.37)
333
4.15 (3.72–4.59)
553
6.53 (6.00–7.05)
803
8.57 (8.00–9.13)
901
9.90 (9.29–10.51)
940
10.40 (9.77–11.03)
1102
11.69 (11.04–12.34)
1855
14.79 (14.17–15.41)
32.27
<.0001
 Adjusteda
100
2.15 (1.75–2.54)
331
4.24 (3.81–4.67)
333
4.26 (3.82–4.71)
553
6.41 (5.89–6.93)
803
8.31 (7.76–8.87)
901
9.20 (8.61–9.79)
940
9.69 (9.08–10.30)
1102
11.02 (10.39–11.65)
1855
13.99 (13.38–14.59)
  
 Men
  Overall
30
1.25 (0.81–1.69)
125
3.08 (2.55–3.62)
119
3.08 (2.53–3.62)
238
5.71 (5.00–6.41)
334
7.39 (6.63–8.15)
389
8.95 (8.10–9.80)
401
9.42 (8.55–10.30)
495
11.04 (10.12–11.95)
853
14.48 (13.58–15.38)
24.18
<.0001
  Adjusteda
30
1.46 (0.98–1.94)
125
3.30 (2.75–3.85)
119
3.15 (2.59–3.70)
238
5.65 (4.95–6.35)
334
7.32 (6.56–8.08)
389
8.60 (7.76–9.43)
401
9.53 (8.64–10.41)
495
11.44 (10.51–12.37)
853
14.99(14.08–15.90)
  
 Age (years)
  18–39
18
0.91 (0.49–1.33)
33
1.53 (1.02–2.05)
36
1.88 (1.27–2.48)
77
4.08 (3.19–4.97)
124
6.60 (5.48–7.73)
101
7.15 (5.80–8.49)
118
9.68 (8.02–11.34)
142
11.94 (10.10–13.79)
212
15.66 (13.72–17.59)
20.55
<.0001
  40–59
12
2.78 (1.23–4.34)
55
4.22 (3.13–5.31)
49
3.67 (2.66–4.68)
94
6.03 (4.85–7.21)
138
7.63 (6.41–8.85)
199
10.18 (8.84–11.52)
197
9.91 (8.60–11.23)
255
12.33 (10.91–13.75)
430
15.46 (14.11–16.80)
13.19
<.0001
  60–100
0
0.00
37
6.19 (4.26–8.12)
34
5.54 (3.73–7.35)
67
9.25(7.14–11.37)
72
8.64 (6.74–10.55)
89
9.08 (7.28–10.88)
86
8.20 (6.54–9.86)
98
7.98 (6.46–9.50)
211
12.03(10.51–13.55)
4.03
<.0001
 Women
  Overall
70
2.61(2.01–3.22)
206
4.76(4.12–5.39)
214
5.16 (4.48–5.83)
315
7.32 (6.54–8.10)
469
9.66 (8.83–10.49)
512
10.77 (9.89–11.66)
539
11.27 (10.37–12.16)
607
12.28 (11.37–13.20)
1002
15.06 (14.20–15.92)
21.38
<.0001
  Adjusteda
70
2.78 (2.16–3.40)
206
5.10 (4.45–5.76)
214
5.30 (4.62–5.98)
315
7.11 (6.34–7.87)
469
9.19 (8.38–10.00)
512
9.75 (8.90–10.59)
539
9.83 (8.98–10.67)
607
10.60 (9.74–11.46)
1002
13.22 (12.40–14.03)
  
 Age (years)
  18–39
49
2.19 (1.58–2.80)
44
1.96 (1.39–2.53)
55
2.71 (2.01–3.42)
77
4.28 (3.34–5.21)
104
5.49 (4.46–6.51)
90
6.09 (4.87–7.31)
75
5.61 (4.38–6.85)
79
6.39 (5.03–7.76)
138
8.61 (7.24–9.98)
11.49
<.0001
  40–59
21
4.83 (2.81–6.84)
111
7.85 (6.45–9.25)
105
7.24 (5.90–8.57)
152
9.02 (7.65–10.38)
238
11.91 (10.49–13.33)
263
12.12 (10.75–13.49)
286
12.80 (11.42–14.19)
317
13.65 (12.25–15.04)
536
17.21 (15.89–18.54)
10.92
<.0001
  60–100
0
0.00
51
7.60 (5.60–9.61)
54
8.04 (5.98–10.09)
86
10.55 (8.44–12.66)
127
13.22 (11.07–15.36)
159
14.39 (12.32–16.46)
178
14.66 (12.67–16.65)
211
15.27 (13.37–17.16)
328
16.94 (15.27–18.61)
7.06
<.0001
Abdominal obesity
 Total
1477
19.33 (18.44–20.22)
1982
24.05 (23.13–24.97)
2901
31.36 (30.41–32.30)
3200
35.67 (34.68–36.66)
3350
37.86 (36.85–38.87)
3994
42.82 (41.81–43.82)
5933
47.34 (46.47–48.22)
51.31
<.0001
 Adjusteda
1477
19.84 (18.96–20.71)
1982
23.56 (22.65–24.46)
2901
30.18 (29.25–31.11)
3200
32.73 (31.76–33.69)
3350
34.41 (33.43–35.39)
3994
38.68 (37.7–39.66)
5933
43.15 (42.28–44.01)
  
 Men
  Overall
330
8.96 (8.04–9.88)
595
14.64 (13.55–15.73)
921
20.63 (19.44–21.81)
1017
23.75 (22.47–25.02)
1064
25.53 (24.21–26.86)
1344
30.30 (28.95–31.66)
2139
36.34 (35.11–37.57)
35.57
<.0001
 Adjusteda
330
9.17 (8.26–10.08)
595
14.49 (13.42–15.56)
921
20.20 (19.03–21.37)
1017
22.43 (21.19–23.67)
1064
24.06 (22.77–25.34)
1344
28.61 (27.29–29.94)
2139
34.70 (33.49–35.92)
  
 Age (years)
  18–39
92
5.04 (4.04–6.05)
181
9.85 (8.49–11.22)
295
15.91 (14.25–17.58)
242
17.39 (15.39–19.38)
233
19.55 (17.30–21.80)
281
23.94 (21.49–26.38)
414
30.60 (28.14–33.05)
21.60
<.0001
  40–59
141
11.09 (9.37–12.82)
246
16.19 (14.34–18.05)
395
22.14 (20.21–24.07)
509
26.44 (24.47–28.41)
546
28.04 (26.05–30.04)
674
32.88 (30.84–34.91)
1083
38.96 (37.14–40.77)
21.14
<.0001
  60–100
97
16.47 (13.47–19.46)
168
23.73 (20.06–26.86)
231
27.93 (24.87–30.99)
266
27.54 (24.72–30.35)
285
27.72 (24.99–30.46)
389
32.12 (29.49–34.75)
642
36.62 (34.37–38.88)
10.21
<.0001
 Women
  Overall
1147
28.99 (27.57–30.40)
1387
33.21 (31.78–34.63)
1980
41.36 (39.97–42.76)
2183
46.57 (45.14–47.99)
2286
48.83 (47.39–50.26)
2650
54.16 (52.76–55.56)
3794
57.09 (55.90–58.28)
37.81
<.0001
  Adjusteda
1147
29.75 (28.36–31.14)
1387
32.18 (30.78–33.57)
1980
39.32 (37.95–40.70)
2183
42.13 (40.73–43.54)
2286
43.66 (42.26–45.07)
2650
47.85 (46.46–49.24)
3794
50.75 (49.55–51.95)
  
 Age (years)
  18–39
308
15.97 (14.33–17.60)
333
19.09 (17.25–20.94)
442
23.76 (21.83–25.70)
381
26.13 (23.88–28.39)
373
28.56 (26.11–31.01)
395
32.30 (29.68–34.92)
574
35.85 (33.50–38.20)
16.19
<.0001
  40–59
540
38.71 (36.15–41.27)
674
41.22 (38.84–43.61)
1003
50.76 (48.55–52.96)
1157
53.89 (51.78–56.00)
1193
54.50 (52.41–56.59)
1348
58.53 (56.52–60.54)
1901
61.11 (59.39–62.82)
18.03
<.0001
  60–100
299
47.24 (43.35–51.12)
380
47.62 (44.15–51.08)
535
56.26 (53.10–59.41)
645
59.56 (56.63–62.48)
720
60.66 (57.88–63.44)
907
66.35 (63.84–68.85)
1319
68.20 (66.13–70.28)
12.05
<.0001
aAdjusted by the direct method to the year 2010 Census population using the age groups 18–39 years, 40–59 years, and 60–100 years
CHNS China Health and Nutrition Survey
Table 4 shows the prevalence of overweight, general obesity, and abdominal obesity in different smoking status, marital status, and educational levels. In all subgroups, the prevalence of the three indicators increased significantly, with the exception of overweight in the divorced group (P = 0.2193). The higher prevalence of overweight, general obesity, and abdominal obesity were found in non- smoking group. The higher prevalence of abdominal obesity was found in the widowed group and the group with a primary education or no degree.
Table 4
The prevalence of overweight, obesity and abdominal obesity among Chinese adults in different smoking status, married status, and education degree from the CHNS: 1989–2011
Indicators
1989
1991
1993
1997
2000
2004
2006
2009
2011
Z
P
n
%(CI)
n
%(CI)
n
%(CI)
n
%(CI)
n
%(CI)
n
%(CI)
n
%(CI)
n
%(CI)
n
%(CI)
Overweight
 Smoking status
  No smoking
1371
25.61 (24.44–26.78)
1407
27.04 (25.84–28.25)
1733
30.57 (29.37–31.77)
2261
35.67 (34.49–36.85)
2274
37.04 (35.83–38.24)
2359
37.94 (36.74–39.15)
2485
38.42 (37.23–39.61)
3575
41.13 (40.10–42.17)
21.23
<.0001
  Smoking
603
20.11 (18.67–21.54)
612
22.34 (20.78–23.90)
718
26.19 (24.54–27.83)
982
33.20 (31.50–34.90)
1056
35.82 (34.09–37.55)
1046
37.07 (35.28–38.85)
1169
39.52 (37.76–41.28)
1565
40.64 (39.09–42.19)
20.99
<.0001
 Married status
  Never married
89
11.38 (9.16–13.61)
173
13.32 (11.47–15.17)
169
14.02 (12.06–15.99)
213
18.08 (15.88–20.28)
242
21.67 (19.25–24.08)
189
23.68 (20.73–26.63)
154
24.25 (20.92–27.59)
107
17.86 (14.8–20.93)
169
24.28 (21.1–27.47)
9.43
<.0001
  Married
982
23.07 (21.81–24.34)
1697
26.15 (25.08–27.22)
1738
27.98 (26.87–29.10)
2110
31.94 (30.81–33.06)
2714
37.52 (36.40–38.63)
2873
38.54 (37.44–39.65)
2964
39.21 (38.11–40.31)
3206
40.72 (39.64–41.81)
4505
42.80 (41.85–43.74)
26.59
<.0001
  Divorced
4
21.05 (2.72–39.38)
18
30.00 (18.40–41.60)
15
35.71 (21.22–50.21)
14
20.90 (11.16–30.63)
28
30.77 (21.29–40.25)
51
43.59 (34.60–52.57)
43
36.13 (27.50–44.77)
62
37.58 (30.19–44.97)
93
32.98 (27.49–38.47)
1.23
0.2193
  Widowed
5
23.81 (5.59–42.03)
93
18.24 (14.88–21.59)
100
19.88 (16.39–23.37)
123
22.49 (18.99–25.98)
158
27.67 (24–31.34)
203
29.99 (26.53–33.44)
235
33.86 (30.34–37.38)
267
35.74 (32.31–39.18)
346
35.67 (32.66–38.68)
8.22
<.0001
 Education degree
  Primary school or none
509
21.23 (19.59–22.86)
1184
24.74 (23.52–25.97)
1115
26.03 (24.71–27.34)
1225
28.84 (27.48–30.21)
1433
34.66 (33.21–36.11)
1432
35.60 (34.12–37.07)
1414
36.59 (35.08–38.11)
1489
37.30 (35.80–38.80)
1756
38.62 (37.20–40.03)
19.95
<.0001
  Middle school degree
533
21.34 (19.73–22.94)
741
21.93 (20.53–23.32)
844
24.43 (23.00–25.86)
1098
29.23 (27.78–30.69)
1589
34.98 (33.59–36.36)
1761
37.54 (36.15–38.93)
1788
38.44 (37.04–39.83)
1960
39.89 (38.52–41.26)
2754
42.82 (41.61–44.03)
23.77
<.0001
  College or above
22
19.64 (12.28–27.00)
54
30.86 (24.01–37.70)
47
35.34 (27.21–43.46)
76
37.07 (30.46–43.68)
142
37.27 (32.42–42.13)
136
37.06 (32.12–42.00)
198
39.76 (35.46–44.06)
201
39.64 (35.39–43.90)
623
40.43 (37.98–42.88)
4.52
<.0001
Obesity
 Smoking status
  No smoking
243
4.54 (3.98–5.10)
238
4.57 (4.01–5.14)
410
7.23 (6.56–7.91)
587
9.26 (8.55–9.97)
657
10.70 (9.93–11.47)
687
11.05 (10.27–11.83)
812
12.55 (11.75–13.36)
1315
15.13 (14.38–15.88)
23.48
<.0001
  Smoking
88
2.93 (2.33–3.54)
86
3.14 (2.49–3.79)
137
5.00 (4.18–5.81)
209
7.07 (6.14–7.99)
242
8.21 (7.22–9.20)
253
8.97 (7.91–10.02)
290
9.80 (8.73–10.88)
540
14.02 (12.93–15.12)
18.31
<.0001
 Married status
  Never married
3
0.38 (0.00–0.82)
8
0.62 (0.19–1.04)
9
0.75 (0.26–1.23)
20
1.70 (0.96–2.44)
42
3.76 (2.64–4.88)
38
4.76 (3.28–6.24)
23
3.62 (2.17–5.08)
34
5.68 (3.82–7.53)
68
9.77 (7.56–11.98)
12.22
<.0001
  Married
94
2.21 (1.77–2.65)
293
4.51 (4.01–5.02)
294
4.73 (4.21–5.26)
483
7.31 (6.68–7.94)
680
9.40 (8.73–10.07)
779
10.45 (9.76–11.15)
833
11.02 (10.31–11.73)
958
12.17 (11.45–12.89)
1594
15.14 (14.46–15.83)
26.58
<.0001
  Divorced
2
10.53 (0.00–24.33)
4
6.67 (0.35–12.98)
1
2.38 (0.00–6.99)
5
7.46 (1.17–13.76)
4
4.40 (0.18–8.61)
7
5.98 (1.69–10.28)
6
5.04 (1.11–8.97)
14
8.48 (4.23–12.74)
36
12.77 (8.87–16.66)
2.10
0.0354
  Widowed
1
4.76 (0.00–13.87)
26
5.10 (3.19–7.01)
25
4.97 (3.07–6.87)
41
7.50 (5.29–9.70)
51
8.93 (6.59–11.27)
72
10.64 (8.31–12.96)
76
10.95 (8.63–13.27)
88
11.78 (9.47–14.09)
154
15.88 (13.58–18.18)
6.96
<.0001
 Education degree
  Primary school or none
56
2.34 (1.73–2.94)
230
4.81 (4.20–5.41)
210
4.90 (4.26–5.55)
294
6.92 (6.16–7.69)
356
8.61 (7.76–9.47)
417
10.37 (9.42–11.31)
429
11.10 (10.11–12.09)
510
12.78 (11.74–13.81)
688
15.13 (14.09–16.17)
20.54
<.0001
  Middle school degree
41
1.64 (1.14–2.14)
91
2.69 (2.15–3.24)
108
3.13 (2.55–3.71)
218
5.80 (5.06–6.55)
371
8.17 (7.37–8.96)
439
9.36 (8.52–10.19)
468
10.06 (9.20–10.92)
539
10.97 (10.10–11.84)
968
15.05 (14.18–15.92)
23.17
<.0001
  College or above
2
1.79 (0.00–4.24)
7
4.00 (1.10–6.90)
4
3.01 (0.10–5.91)
18
8.78 (4.91–12.65)
36
9.45 (6.51–12.39)
44
11.99 (8.67–15.31)
41
8.23 (5.82–10.65)
52
10.26 (7.62–12.9)
196
12.72 (11.06–14.38)
4.66
<.0001
Abdominal obesity
 Smoking status
  No smoking
1194
24.08 (22.89–25.27)
1578
28.65 (27.46–29.84)
2252
36.00 (34.81–37.19)
2491
41.13 (39.89–42.37)
2625
43.19 (41.94–44.43)
3115
48.66 (47.44–49.89)
4494
51.74 (50.69–52.79)
39.93
<.0001
  Smoking
263
10.06 (8.91–11.21)
391
14.58 (13.25–15.92)
620
21.24 (19.76–22.72)
705
24.29 (22.73–25.85)
725
26.16 (24.53–27.80)
879
30.03 (28.37–31.69)
1439
37.42 (35.89–38.94)
28.06
<.0001
 Married status
  Never married
71
6.18 (4.79–7.58)
98
8.54 (6.93–10.16)
153
13.97 (11.92–16.03)
130
16.65 (14.03–19.26)
98
15.68 (12.83–18.53)
94
15.91 (12.96–18.85)
160
23.02 (19.89–26.15)
11.85
<.0001
  Married
1247
21.04 (20.00–22.07)
1691
26.29 (25.22–27.37)
2397
33.52 (32.42–34.61)
2713
36.87 (35.77–37.97)
2874
38.84 (37.73–39.95)
3415
43.81 (42.71–44.91)
5094
48.42 (47.46–49.37)
42.19
<.0001
  Divorced
13
33.33 (18.54–48.13)
14
21.54 (11.54–31.53)
18
20.00 (11.74–28.26)
39
33.91 (25.26–42.57)
35
30.17 (21.82–38.53)
55
33.54 (26.31–40.76)
106
37.86 (32.18–43.54)
2.82
0.0049
  Widowed
138
29.36 (25.24–33.48)
167
31.69 (27.72–35.66)
233
41.31 (37.25–45.38)
301
45.40 (41.61–49.19)
336
49.56 (45.79–53.32)
411
55.77 (52.18–59.35)
548
56.61 (53.49–59.73)
11.95
<.0001
 Education degree
  Primary school or none
971
23.86 (22.55–25.17)
1150
27.90 (26.53–29.27)
1449
35.45 (33.98–36.91)
1615
40.73 (39.20–42.26)
1615
42.79 (41.21–44.37)
1935
48.95 (47.39–50.51)
2345
51.63 (50.18–53.08)
32.90
<.0001
  Middle school degree
447
13.54 (12.37–14.71)
695
19.00 (17.73–20.28)
1210
27.02 (25.72–28.32)
1457
31.52 (30.18–32.86)
1578
34.57 (33.19–35.95)
1879
38.67 (37.30–40.04)
2961
46.06 (44.85–47.28)
37.90
<.0001
  College or above
31
23.48 (16.25–30.72)
59
28.92 (22.70–35.14)
108
28.88 (24.28–33.47)
123
33.79 (28.93–38.65)
147
30.31 (26.22–34.40)
178
35.46 (31.27–39.64)
616
40.00 (37.55–42.45)
5.47
<.0001
CHNS China Health and Nutrition Survey
The prevalence of grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3 combined obesity are presented in Table 5. The age-adjusted prevalence of grade 1 obesity increased significantly in the total sample (from 2.08 to 12.01%, P < 0.0001), in men (from 1.38 to 13.25%, P < 0.0001), and in women (from 2.74 to 11.03%, P < 0.0001). In all age groups, the prevalence of grade 1 obesity increased significantly. Similar trends in the age-adjusted prevalence of grade 2 obesity and grade 3 obesity combined were observed in the total sample as well as both men and women. There were significant increases in the prevalence of grade 2 obesity and grade 3 obesity combined in all age groups except the prevalence of grade 2 obesity in the 60–100 years group (P = 0.0629 in men and 0.2130 in women).
Table 5
The prevalence of grade 1, grade 2, and grade 2 and grade 3 combined among the Chinese adults from the CHNS: 1989–2011
Indicators
1989
1991
1993
1997
2000
2004
2006
2009
2011
Z
P
n
%(CI)
n
%(CI)
n
%(CI)
n
%(CI)
n
%(CI)
n
%(CI)
n
%(CI)
n
%(CI)
n
%(CI)
Grade 1
 Total
97
1.91 (1.30–2.90)
308
3.67 (3.27–4.08)
308
3.84 (3.42–4.26)
516
6.09 (5.58–6.60)
739
7.88 (7.34–8.43)
825
9.07 (8.48–9.66)
858
9.49 (8.89–10.10)
1009
10.70 (10.08–11.33)
1599
12.75 (12.16–13.33)
29.02
<.0001
 Adjusteda
97
2.08 (1.69–2.47)
308
3.93 (3.51–4.34)
308
3.94 (3.51–4.36)
516
5.99 (5.48–6.49)
739
7.66 (7.13–8.20)
825
8.40 (7.83–8.97)
858
8.81 (8.23–9.40)
1009
10.09 (9.48–10.70)
1599
12.01 (11.44–12.58)
  
 Men
  Overall
29
1.21 (0.77–1.64)
123
3.04 (2.51–3.56)
114
2.95 (2.41–3.48)
226
5.42 (4.73–6.11)
310
6.86 (6.12–7.60)
368
8.46 (7.64–9.29)
377
8.86 (8.01–9.71)
456
10.17 (9.28–11.05)
751
12.75 (11.90–13.60)
22.09
<.0001
  Adjusteda
29
1.38 (0.91–1.84)
123
3.24 (2.70–3.79)
114
3.01 (2.47–3.55)
226
5.37 (4.69–6.06)
310
6.81 (6.08–7.55)
368
8.10 (7.29–8.91)
377
8.90 (8.04–9.75)
456
10.58 (9.68–11.48)
751
13.25 (12.38–14.11)
  
 Age (years)
  18–39
18
0.91 (0.49–1.33)
33
1.53 (1.02–2.05)
35
1.82 (1.23–2.42)
76
4.03 (3.14–4.91)
119
6.34 (5.23–7.44)
93
6.58 (5.29–7.87)
108
8.86 (7.26–10.45)
132
11.10 (9.32–12.89)
189
13.96 (12.11–15.80)
19.17
<.0001
  40–59
11
2.55 (1.06–4.04)
55
4.22 (3.13–5.31)
46
3.45 (2.47–4.42)
90
5.77 (4.62–6.93)
127
7.02 (5.84–8.20)
191
9.77 (8.45–11.09)
188
9.46 (8.17–10.75)
237
11.46 (10.09–12.83)
377
13.55 (12.28–14.82)
11.87
<.0001
  60–100
0
0.00
35
5.85 (3.97–7.73)
33
5.37 (3.59–7.16)
60
8.29 (6.28–10.30)
64
7.68 (5.87–9.49)
84
8.57 (6.82–10.32)
81
7.72 (6.11–9.34)
87
7.08 (5.65–8.52)
185
10.55 (9.11–11.98)
3.340
0.0008
 Women
  Overall
68
2.54 (1.94–3.13)
185
4.27 (3.67–4.87)
194
4.67 (4.03–5.32)
290
6.74 (5.99–7.49)
429
8.84 (8.04–9.64)
457
9.62 (8.78–10.46)
481
10.05 (9.20–10.91)
553
11.19 (10.31–12.07)
848
12.75 (11.94–13.55)
19.00
<.0001
  Adjusteda
68
2.74 (2.12–3.36)
185
4.56 (3.94–5.18)
194
4.79 (4.14–5.44)
290
6.55 (5.81–7.28)
429
8.41 (7.63–9.19)
457
8.67 (7.87–9.47)
481
8.73 (7.93–9.53)
553
9.60 (8.78–10.42)
848
11.03 (10.27–11.78)
  
 Age (years)
  18–39
47
2.10 (1.51–2.70)
44
1.96 (1.39–2.53)
55
2.71 (2.01–3.42)
71
3.94 (3.04–4.84)
95
5.01 (4.03–6.00)
78
5.28 (4.14–6.42)
64
4.79 (3.65–5.94)
69
5.58 (4.30–6.86)
108
6.74 (5.51–7.96)
9.24
<.0001
  40–59
21
4.83 (2.81–6.84)
98
6.93 (5.61–8.25)
93
6.41 (5.15–7.67)
144
8.54 (7.21–9.88)
223
11.16 (9.78–12.54)
242
11.15 (9.83–12.48)
265
11.86 (10.52–13.20)
295
12.70 (11.35–14.05)
458
14.71 (13.46–15.95)
9.60
<.0001
  60–100
0
0.00
43
6.41 (4.56–8.26)
46
6.85 (4.94–8.75)
75
9.2 (7.22–11.19)
111
11.55 (9.53–13.57)
137
12.40 (10.46–14.34)
152
12.52 (10.66–14.38)
189
13.68 (11.86–15.49)
282
14.57 (12.99–16.14)
6.52
<.0001
Grade 2
 Total
3
0.06 (0.00–0.13)
21
0.25 (0. 14–0.36)
23
0.29 (0. 17–0.40)
34
0.40 (0. 27–0.54)
60
0.64 (0. 48–0.80)
69
0.76 (0. 58–0.94)
75
0.83 (0. 64–1.02)
88
0.93 (0. 74–1.13)
163
1.30 (1.10–1.50)
10.07
<.0001
 Adjusteda
3
0.06 (0.01–0.13)
21
0.28 (0.17–0.40)
23
0.30 (0.18–0.42)
34
0.39 (0.26–0.52)
60
0.61 (0.45–0.77)
69
0.72 (0.54–0.89)
75
0.81 (0.62–0.99)
88
0.88 (0.69–1.07)
163
1.24 (1.05–1.43)
  
 Men
  Overall
1
0.04 (0.00–0.12)
1
0.02 (0.00–0.07)
4
0.10 (0.00–0.20)
12
0.29 (0.13–0.45)
23
0.51 (0.30–0.72)
21
0.48 (0.28–0.69)
22
0.52 (0.30–0.73)
38
0.85 (0.58–1.12)
58
0.98 (0.73–1.24)
7.40
<.0001
  Adjusteda
1
0.09 (0.00–0.20)
1
0.03 (0.00–0.08)
4
0.11 (0.00–0.21)
12
0.28 (0.12–0.44)
23
0.49 (0.28–0.69)
21
0.50 (0.29–0.71)
22
0.57 (0.35–0.80)
38
0.84 (0.58–1.11)
58
1.03 (0.77–1.29)
  
 Age (years)
  18–39
0
0.00
0
0.00
1
0.05 (0.00–0.15)
1
0.05 (0.00–0.16)
5
0.27 (0.03–0.50)
8
0.57 (0.17–0.96)
9
0.74 (0.26–1.22)
10
0.84 (0.32–1.36)
15
1.11 (0.55–1.67)
6.10
<.0001
  40–59
1
0.23 (0.00–0.69)
0
0.00
3
0.22 (0.00–0.48)
4
0.26 (0.01–0.51)
11
0.61 (0.25–0.97)
8
0.41 (0.13–0.69)
9
0.45 (0.16–0.75)
17
0.82 (0.43–1.21)
29
1.04 (0.67–1.42)
4.51
<.0001
  60–100
0
0.00
1
0.17 (0.00–0.49)
0
0.00
7
0.97 (0.25–1.68)
7
0.84 (0.22–1.46)
5
0.51 (0.06–0.96)
4
0.38 (0.01–0.75)
11
0.90 (0.37–1.42)
14
0.80 (0.38–1.21)
1.86
0.0629
 Women
  Overall
2
0.07 (0.00–0.18)
20
0.46 (0.26–0.66)
19
0.46 (0.25–0.66)
22
0.51 (0.30–0.72)
37
0.76 (0.52–1.01)
48
1.01 (0.73–1.29)
53
1.11 (0.81–1.40)
50
1.01 (0.73–1.29)
105
1.58 (1.28–1.88)
6.94
<.0001
  Adjusteda
2
0.04 (0.00–0.12)
20
0.52 (0.30–0.73)
19
0.49 (0.27–0.70)
22
0.50 (0.29–0.71)
37
0.72 (0.48–0.96)
48
0.92 (0.65–1.19)
53
1.02 (0.73–1.30)
50
0.92 (0.65–1.19)
105
1.43 (1.14–1.71)
  
 Age (years)
  18–39
2
0.09 (0.00–0.21)
0
0.00
0
0.00
6
0.33 (0.07–0.6)
8
0.42 (0.13–0.71)
9
0.61 (0.21–1.01)
11
0.82 (0.34–1.31)
9
0.73 (0.25–1.20)
17
1.06 (0.56–1.56)
6.22
<.0001
  40–59
0
0.00
12
0.85 (0.37–1.33)
11
0.76 (0.31–1.20)
7
0.42 (0.11–0.72)
15
0.75 (0.37–1.13)
20
0.92 (0.52–1.32)
18
0.81 (0.44–1.18)
22
0.95 (0.55–1.34)
54
1.73 (1.28–2.19)
3.33
0.0009
  60–100
0
0.00
8
1.19 (0.37–2.01)
8
1.19 (0.37–2.01)
9
1.10 (0.39–1.82)
14
1.46 (0.70–2.21)
19
1.72 (0.95–2.49)
24
1.98 (1.19–2.76)
19
1.37 (0.76–1.99)
34
1.76 (1.17–2.34)
1.25
0.2130
Grade 2 and 3
 Total
3
0.06 (0.00–0.13)
23
0.27 (0.16–0.39)
25
0.31 (0.19–0.43)
37
0.44 (0.30–0.58)
64
0.68 (0.52–0.85)
76
0.84 (0.65–1.02)
82
0.91 (0.71–1.10)
93
0.99 (0.79–1.19)
256
2.04 (1.79–2.29)
12.59
<.0001
 Adjusteda
3
0.06 (0.00–0.13)
23
0.31 (0.19–0.43)
25
0.33 (0.20–0.45)
37
0.42 (0.28–0.56)
64
0.65 (0.49–0.81)
76
0.80 (0.61–0.98)
82
0.87 (0.68–1.06)
93
0.93 (0.74–1.12)
256
1.98 (1.73–2.22)
  
 Men
  Overall
1
0.04 (0.00–0.12)
2
0.05 (0.00–0.12)
5
0.13 (0.02–0.24)
12
0.29 (0.13–0.45)
24
0.53 (0.32–0.74)
21
0.48 (0.28–0.69)
24
0.56 (0.34–0.79)
39
0.87 (0.60–1.14)
102
1.73 (1.40–2.06)
9.63
<.0001
  Adjusteda
1
0.09 (0.00–0.20)
2
0.05 (0.00–0.13)
5
0.13 (0.02–0.25)
12
0.28 (0.12–0.44)
24
0.51 (0.30–0.71)
21
0.50 (0.29–0.71)
24
0.63 (0.39–0.86)
39
0.86 (0.59–1.13)
102
1.74 (1.41–2.07)
  
 Ag e (years)
  18–39
0
0.00
0
0.00
1
0.05 (0.00–0.15)
1
0.05 (0.00–0.16)
5
0.27 (0.03–0.50)
8
0.57 (0.17–0.96)
10
0.82 (0.31–1.33)
10
0.84 (0.32–1.36)
23
1.70 (1.01–2.39)
6.45
<.0001
  40–59
1
0.23 (0.00–0.69)
0
0.00
3
0.22 (0.00–0.48)
4
0.26 (0.01–0.51)
11
0.61 (0.25–0.97)
8
0.41 (0.13–0.69)
9
0.45 (0.16–0.75)
18
0.87 (0.47–1.27)
53
1.91 (1.40–2.41)
5.80
<.0001
  60–100
0
0.00
2
0.33 (0.00–0.80)
1
0.16 (0.00–0.48)
7
0.97 (0.25–1.68)
8
0.96 (0.30–1.62)
5
0.51 (0.06–0.96)
5
0.48 (0.06–0.89)
11
0.90 (0.37–1.42)
26
1.48 (0.92–2.05)
2.46
0.0139
 Women
  Overall
2
0.07 (0.00–0.18)
21
0.48 (0.28–0.69)
20
0.48 (0.27–0.69)
25
0.58 (0.35–0.81)
40
0.82 (0.57–1.08)
55
1.16 (0.85–1.46)
58
1.21 (0.90–1.52)
54
1.09 (0.80–1.38)
154
2.31 (1.95–2.68)
8.84
<.0001
  Adjusteda
2
0.04 (0.00–0.12)
21
0.54 (0.33–0.76)
20
0.51 (0.29–0.73)
25
0.56 (0.34–0.78)
40
0.78 (0.53–1.03)
55
1.07 (0.78–1.37)
58
1.10 (0.80–1.39)
54
1.00 (0.72–1.27)
154
2.19 (1.84–2.54)
  
 Age (years)
  18–39
2
0.09 (0.00–0.21)
0
0.00
0
0.00
6
0.33 (0.07–0.60)
9
0.47 (0.17–0.78)
12
0.81 (0.35–1.27)
11
0.82 (0.34–1.31)
10
0.81 (0.31–1.31)
30
1.87 (1.21–2.53)
7.35
<.0001
  40–59
0
0.00
13
0.92 (0.42–1.42)
12
0.83 (0.36–1.29)
8
0.47 (0.15–0.80)
15
0.75 (0.37–1.13)
21
0.97 (0.56–1.38)
21
0.94 (0.54–1.34)
22
0.95 (0.55–1.34)
78
2.50 (1.96–3.05)
4.51
<.0001
  60–100
0
0.00
8
1.19 (0.37–2.01)
8
1.19 (0.37–2.01)
11
1.35 (0.56–2.14)
16
1.66 (0.86–2.47)
22
1.99 (1.17–2.81)
26
2.14 (1.33–2.96)
22
1.59 (0.93–2.25)
46
2.38 (1.70–3.05)
2.18
0.0296
aAdjusted by the direct method to the year 2010 Census population using the age groups 18–39 years, 40–59 years, and 60–100 years
CHNS China Health and Nutrition Survey
The results of the trends in all obesity-related indicators are expressed as annual changes in ORs and displayed in Table 6. For all indicators, there were significant increases in the ORs in the total sample and both men and women (all P < 0.0001). Compared to women, higher ORs in all indicators were observed in men with the exception of grade 2 obesity.
Table 6
Estimated annual increase in the odds of obesity profiles prevalence among the Chinese adults by sex and age from the CHNS: 1989–2011
Indicators
Overweight
Obesity
Abdominal obesity
Grade 1 obesity
Grade 2 obesity
Grade 2 and 3 combined obesity
OR(95%CI)
P
OR(95%CI)
P
OR(95%CI)
P
OR(95%CI)
P
OR(95%CI)
P
OR(95%CI)
P
Total
1.041(1.039–1.043)
<.0001
1.074(1.070–1.078)
<.0001
1.073(1.070–1.076)
<.0001
1.07(1.066–1.074)
<.0001
1.087(1.073–1.102)
<.0001
1.108(1.094–1.123)
<.0001
Men
 Overall
1.055(1.052–1.058)
<.0001
1.087(1.081–1.093)
<.0001
1.089(1.083–1.094)
<.0001
1.082(1.075–1.088)
<.0001
1.117(1.089–1.147)
<.0001
1.148(1.120–1.178)
<.0001
Age
 18–39
1.056(1.050–1.061)
<.0001
1.125(1.113–1.137)
<.0001
1.104(1.093–1.114)
<.0001
1.118(1.106–1.130)
<.0001
1.195(1.133–1.261)
<.0001
1.223(1.159–1.290)
<.0001
 40–59
1.045(1.040–1.050)
<.0001
1.077(1.068–1.087)
<.0001
1.085(1.078–1.093)
<.0001
1.072(1.062–1.082)
<.0001
1.099(1.056–1.143)
<.0001
1.147(1.101–1.194)
<.0001
 60–100
1.046(1.038–1.054)
<.0001
1.028(1.016–1.041)
<.0001
1.048(1.039–1.058)
<.0001
1.025(1.011–1.038)
0.0002
1.045(0.997–1.096)
0.0658
1.062(1.017–1.109)
0.0061
Women
 Overall
1.030(1.027–1.033)
<.0001
1.065(1.060–1.070)
<.0001
1.068(1.064–1.072)
<.0001
1.061(1.055–1.066)
<.0001
1.074(1.056–1.091)
<.0001
1.09(1.073–1.107)
<.0001
Age
 18–39
1.013(1.008–1.018)
<.0001
1.065(1.054–1.076)
<.0001
1.060(1.052–1.067)
<.0001
1.055(1.043–1.066)
<.0001
1.136(1.092–1.182)
<.0001
1.164(1.120–1.209)
<.0001
 40–59
1.025(1.020–1.029)
<.0001
1.047(1.040–1.055)
<.0001
1.052(1.046–1.058)
<.0001
1.044(1.036–1.052)
<.0001
1.052(1.026–1.079)
<.0001
1.070(1.045–1.097)
<.0001
 60–100
1.028(1.021–1.035)
<.0001
1.042(1.032–1.052)
<.0001
1.054(1.045–1.062)
<.0001
1.042(1.031–1.053)
<.0001
1.021(0.994–1.048)
0.1354
1.032(1.006–1.059)
0.0146
CHNS China Health and Nutrition Survey

Discussion

The present study showed that there were significant increases in the age-adjusted prevalence of overweight and general obesity defined by BMI as well as abdominal obesity defined by WC in Chinese adults in the past 22 years. Compared to women, the changes in BMI and WC were particularly pronounced in men. Moreover, the age-adjusted prevalence of overweight in men was greater than that in women. However, the age-adjusted prevalence of abdominal obesity was reversed. Notably, according to the annual ORs, the increases in the prevalence of all indicators in men were greater than those in women, with the exception of grade 2 obesity. The annual ORs of general obesity, abdominal obesity, and grade 1 obesity decreased significantly with age in men.
In this study, dramatic increases in the prevalence of overweight, general obesity, and abdominal obesity were observed among Chinese adults from 1989 to 2011. The increases occurred in almost all studied sex and age groups, which was accordance with the previous studies [17, 27, 28] . Moreover, the increasing trends in all indicators appeared to continue but not slow or level off. If no effective intervention is implemented to control the prevalence of obesity, China will follow in the footsteps of the U.S., which will lead to an obesity crisis [29, 30]. A previous study reported that the Chinese diet was shifting toward a Westernized diet, as characterized by the proliferation of fast food chains since the late 1980s [31]. As a result, the consumption of animal food and edible oil has dramatically increased; in contrast, the intake of cereals and starchy roots has declined [15]. Therefore, the obesity epidemic in China is attributed to the increasing availability of food, the lack of physical activity, and the Westernization of the dietary pattern.
WC is a simple and effective measure of abdominal obesity and has often been shown to be a strong predictor of an increased risk of hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, and coronary heart disease, independent of BMI [32, 33]. In this study, the age-adjusted prevalence of abdominal obesity defined by WC considerably increased from 1989 to 2011, especially in women, which was in line with the previous study [27]. However, a previous study reported that the distribution of higher WC greatly increased from 1993 to 2009 in men [17]. In 2011, the age-adjusted prevalence of abdominal obesity in women was 50.75%. Note that the prevalence of abdominal obesity in the 40–59 years old and 60–100 years old groups were 61.11 and 68.20% in 2011, respectively. Therefore, the high prevalence of abdominal obesity poses a serious public health challenge in China.
According to the annual ORs, there were significant increases in the prevalence of all obesity-related indicators. Compared to women, there were more rapid increases in all indicators except grade 2 obesity in men. There were significant differences in the increasing rates of general obesity, abdominal obesity, and grade 1 obesity across the three age groups in men. And the annual ORs decreased significantly with age. Therefore, the obesity population is trending toward a higher proportion of males and younger individuals in China, which should be examined in a well-designed study in the future.
In this study, it was found that the prevalence of all obesity-related indicators increased more rapidly in men than that in women, which was in line with the findings of previous studies [14, 17, 28, 34]. The sex disparity might be explained by sociocultural, socioeconomic, behavioral, and genetic factors. First, obesogenic environmental changes resulting in high calorie intake might have contributed to male dominance in obesity increases. Furthermore, sex hormone responses to obesogenic environmental changes need to be considered [35]. Second, the dietary and physical activity behavioral differences between men and women might partly explain the sex disparity [16]. Third, body image dissatisfaction is more prevalent in women in China [36, 37]. The Chinese 2005 NYRBS (National Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance) showed that 23.6% of girls and 9.1% boys tried to lose weight by restricting their diets [38]. This might explain why the prevalence of obesity increased more slowly in women. The prevalence of abdominal obesity in women was higher than that in men, which might be attributed to hormonal levels. When women experience from menopause, estrogen declines rapidly, and follicle stimulating hormone increases. As a result, the accumulation of visceral fat is exacerbated [39]. Therefore, the prevalence of abdominal obesity would increase more rapidly in women.

The strengths and limitations

Data were obtained from the nationally representative CHNS. Thus, the findings of this study present the true and dynamic description of obesity-related variables in China. Because of the differences in ethnicities and dietary patterns among different countries, the prevalence and extent of obesity vary. Specific cut-offs of BMI should be used to define overweight and obesity in each country. In this study, according to the WHO recommendations for Chinese people, ethnicity-based cut-offs for BMI were used to define overweight and obesity. Therefore, the results of this study provided accurate and realistic estimations of the prevalence of overweight, general obesity, and abdominal obesity in China. However, the limitations of this study should be stated. Since the measurement of WC in the CHNS began in 1993, the prevalence of abdominal obesity and the distribution of WC were not reported in 1989 or 1991. The study population focused on children and adults aged ≤45 years old in 1989, which led to no result presented in the 60–100 years old group.

Conclusions

The prevalence of overweight, general obesity, and abdominal obesity increased significantly among Chinese adults from 1989 to 2011. The median BMI and WC increased rapidly over the 22 years. The annual ORs indicated that the increases in the prevalence of overweight, general obesity, and abdominal obesity in men were more rapid than those in women. Therefore, the obesity population is trending toward a higher proportion of males and younger individuals in China.

Acknowledgements

This research uses data from China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS). We thank the National Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety, China Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Carolina Population Center, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the NIH (R01-HD30880, DK056350, and R01-HD38700) and the Fogarty International Center, NIH for financial support for the CHNS data collection and analysis files from 1989 to 2006 and both parties plus the China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Ministry of Health for support for CHNS 2009 and future surveys.
This study was approved by the IRB of the National Institute for Nutrition and Food Safety, China Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Written informed consent was obtained from all subjects.
Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Open AccessThis article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://​creativecommons.​org/​licenses/​by/​4.​0/​), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://​creativecommons.​org/​publicdomain/​zero/​1.​0/​) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.

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Metadaten
Titel
The prevalence and increasing trends of overweight, general obesity, and abdominal obesity among Chinese adults: a repeated cross-sectional study
verfasst von
Yongjie Chen
Qin Peng
Yu Yang
Senshuang Zheng
Yuan Wang
Wenli Lu
Publikationsdatum
01.12.2019
Verlag
BioMed Central
Erschienen in
BMC Public Health / Ausgabe 1/2019
Elektronische ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-7633-0

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