Urban-rural differences in BMI, overweight and obesity in Norway (1990 and 2001)

Authors: Svensson, Elisabeth¹; Reas, Deborah²; Sandanger, Inger³; Nygård, Jan¹

Source: Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, Volume 35, Number 5, 2007 , pp. 555-558(4)

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Abstract:

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine body mass index and the prevalence of overweight and obesity in 1990 and 2001 in Oslo and Lofoten, Norway. Methods: A randomly selected study population of 1,924 individuals (OsLof) underwent a structured personal interview in 1990. In 2001, 1,629 individuals underwent the same interview. These samples were analysed as two cross-sectional datasets. Results: Overall mean BMI in 1990 was 24.7 for men and 22.9 for women, increasing significantly in 2001 to 26.1 and 24.6, respectively. In 1990, 37% of men and 20% of women were overweight, while 5% of men and 4% of women were obese. The corresponding figures for 2001 were 48% and 27% for overweight, and 12% and 11% for obesity, respectively. Discussion: The greatest increases in average BMI occurred for the youngest (18-34 years) for both genders and geographic regions. In 1990, urban-rural differences existed for mean BMI and proportion overweight for both genders, although geographic differences persisted only for women 10 years later.

Keywords: BMI; obesity overweight; obesity; Norway; trends

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14034940701349217

Affiliations: 1: Helse Øst Health Services Research Unit, Akershus University Hospital, Norway 2: Institute of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway 3: Helse Øst Health Services Research Unit, University of Oslo, Norway

Publication date: 2007-01-01

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