Epidemiology of Overweight and Obesity in a Greek Adult Population: the ATTICA Study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the status of overweight and obesity in a Greek random sample. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: From 2001 to 2002, 1514 men (20 to 87 years old) and 1528 women (20 to 89 years old) were enrolled into the study. Among several sociodemographic, lifestyle, and bioclinical factors, anthropometric characteristics were also recorded. Overweight and obesity were defined according to the World Health Organization classification. RESULTS: The prevalences of overweight and obesity were 53% and 20% in men and 31% and 15% in women (p for gender differences < 0.05). The age-adjusted peak prevalence of obesity was observed in men older than 40 years old and women between 50 and 59 years old (Bonferonni alpha < 0.001). Central obesity prevailed in 36% of men and 43% of women (p for gender differences < 0.001). Obesity varied from 10% in rural to 25% in urban areas, but this difference was explained mainly by differences in occupational status (p = 0.9). Moreover, obese and overweight participants were older, less educated, more frequently sedentary, consumed higher quantities of alcoholic beverages, and were devoted to an unhealthier diet as compared with those of normal weight (all p < 0.05). A positive association was also observed between BMI and diastolic and systolic blood pressures, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose levels (all p < 0.001). DISCUSSION: Overweight and obesity seem to be a great health problem in the Greek population, especially in middle-aged and older adults. Unfavorable lifestyle habits, low education, and the classical cardiovascular risk factors were associated with the prevalence of these health conditions.