Changes in prevalence of obesity and high waist circumference over four years across European regions: the European male ageing study (EMAS)

Abstract

Diversity in lifestyles and socioeconomic status among European populations, and recent socio-political and economic changes in transitional countries, may affect changes in adiposity. We aimed to determine whether change in the prevalence of obesity varies between the socio-politically transitional North-East European (Łódź, Poland; Szeged, Hungary; Tartu, Estonia), and the non-transitional Mediterranean (Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Florence, Italy) and North-West European (Leuven, Belgium; Malmö, Sweden; Manchester, UK) cities. This prospective observational cohort survey was performed between 2003 and 2005 at baseline and followed up between 2008 and 2010 of 3369 community-dwelling men aged 40–79 years. Main outcome measures in the present paper included waist circumference, body mass index and mid-upper arm muscle area. Baseline prevalence of waist circumference ≥ 102 cm and body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2, respectively, were 39.0, 29.5 % in North-East European cities, 32.4, 21.9 % in Mediterranean cities, and 30.0, 20.1 % in North-West European cities. After median 4.3 years, men living in cities from transitional countries had mean gains in waist circumference (1.1 cm) and body mass index (0.2 kg/m2), which were greater than men in cities from non-transitional countries (P = 0.005). North-East European cities had greater gains in waist circumference (1.5 cm) than in Mediterranean cities (P < 0.001). Over 4.3 years, the prevalence of waist circumference ≥ 102 cm had increased by 13.1 % in North-East European cities, 5.8 % in the Mediterranean cities, 10.0 % in North-West European cities. Odds ratios (95 % confidence intervals), adjusted for lifestyle factors, for developing waist circumference ≥ 102 cm, compared with men from Mediterranean cities, were 2.3 (1.5–3.5) in North-East European cities and 1.6 (1.1–2.4) in North-West European cities, and 1.6 (1.2–2.1) in men living in cities from transitional, compared with cities from non-transitional countries. These regional differences in increased prevalence of waist circumference ≥ 102 cm were more pronounced in men aged 60–79 years than in those aged 40–59 years. Overall there was an increase in the prevalence of obesity (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2) over 4.3 years (between 5.3 and 6.1 %) with no significant regional differences at any age. Mid-upper arm muscle area declined during follow-up with the greatest decline among men from North-East European cities. In conclusion, increasing waist circumference is dissociated from change in body mass index and most rapid among men living in cities from transitional North-East European countries, presumably driven by economic and socio–political changes. Information on women would also be of value and it would be of interest to relate the changes in adiposity to dietary and other behavioural habits.

Lycopene in tomatoes and tomato products

“…In the present study, the lycopene content of fresh tomatoes is 53.21 mg/100 g dm or 2.94 mg/100 g of the product ( Table 1). These data are in agreement with the results of studies performed by other scientists [32,35,36], who found that the lycopene content of fresh tomatoes ranged from 0.88 to 7.74 mg/ 100 g of product. Alda et al [37] showed that the content of lycopene of fresh tomatoes was approximately 12 mg/ 100 g. Studies conducted in Hungary demonstrated that the average lycopene content of tomatoes accounted for 0.85 mg/100 g of product in winter, 1.10 mg in spring, and 13.6 mg/100 g of product in summer [35].…”

Regional and Social Disparities for Obesity among Austrian Adults: Representative Long-term Trends from 1973–2014

“…But more recent studies and also the future prognosis show higher obesity prevalence among men than women in Europe [8,15,41]. The European male aging study concluded that weight and BMI are rising among men, especially in countries undergoing socioeconomic and political transitions [7]. It seems as though public health strategies applied the past most strongly influenced women living in Central and Western Austria.…”

“…Today, most people worldwide live in countries where obesity kills more people than malnutrition. Epidemiological surveys indicate that the prevalence of obesity has clearly risen in recent decades [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. Since 1975, the prevalence has nearly tripled globally [1], and the prognosis shows a steady increase in the obesity epidemic [12], which causes very high health care budgets [13].…”

Testosterone Therapy for Prevention and Treatment of Obesity in Men

“…5 Importantly, waist circumference (WC) in men is increasing more rapidly than body weight and body mass index (BMI). 6 Although both general and abdominal obesity are associated with an increased risk of premature mortality, 7 it has been shown that ab-dominal obesity may be a stronger risk factor for mortality than BMI. [8][9][10][11] Cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, and kidney disease are among the leading causes of obesity-related death and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs, a measure of overall disease burden, expressed as the number of years lost due to ill health or disability).…”