OBJECTIVE:To measure the independent correlates of excess body weight and obesity in Quebec in 1993 and 1997. DESIGN: A population-based, cross-sectional survey in three settings in the province of Quebec. SUBJECTS: A total of 10014 individuals aged 18-64 y. MEASUREMENTS: Excess body weight was defined as a body mass index (BMI) (self-reported weight and height) greater than or equal to 25 kg/m 2 and obesity as BMI greater than or equal to 30 kg/m 2 . Data were collected by a questionnaire completed at home by the participants. Diet was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: The correlates varied according to gender. While university achievement, smoking habit and physical activity level reduced the risk of excess body weight in both genders, increased dietary fat intake was positively associated with overweight and obesity in men only. In women, greater family income lowered the risk of having a BMI over 25. Increasing age, speaking a language other than French and living in a rural environment elevated the risk. CONCLUSION: Future interventions for the control of obesity should be gender-specific. Target groups should include individuals with low education, those living in rural environments and non-caucasian women. Dietary interventions should target men in particular.

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Objective:To determine the correlates of a high-fat diet in urban, suburban and rural areas of Quebec, Canada.Design:A secondary analysis of data collected as part of a 5-year multi-factorial, multi-setting, community-intervention project.Setting:Urban, suburban and rural settings of the province of Quebec, 1997.Subjects:Data were analysed from a sample of 5214 participants (2227 males, 2987 females). A food-frequency questionnaire was completed and a global index of food quality was calculated. Logistic regression was used to identify correlates of a diet high in total fats, saturated fat and cholesterol.Results:In both genders, lower level of education, smoking status, French and English languages compared with other languages spoken at home, and a rural environment were associated with poor diet quality. Having no intention to eat low-fat dairy products more often was associated with a high-fat diet. In men, obesity (body mass index >30 kg m−2) and absence of reported health problems were correlates of a high-fat diet, while, in women, lower physical activity was a correlate.Conclusions:Future health interventions in Quebec should target people with low education, smokers and those living in a rural environment. Obese men and sedentary women should have access to specific dietetic resources.