Changes over Fourteen Years in Adult Obesity in Estonia: Socioeconomic Status and Use of Outpatient Health Services

Abstract

It has been noted that great socioeconomic and lifestyle changes have triggered an epidemic of obesity among Eastern Europeans. The objective of this study was to assess the change of adult obesity in Estonia by socioeconomic status and the use of outpatient healthcare services among obese individuals over time. It can be maintained that obesity distribution in Estonia in 1990-2004 developed similarly to an average Western country and, regardless of an increasing level of male obesity, obesity prevalence for 16-64 year-olds was on the average level in Europe in 2004-14.0% for men and 14.9% for women. Change in obesity prevalence correlates quite well with changes in the economy in Estonia. From studied socioeconomic variables only age and education (among women) strongly affect the change in obesity level. Obese individuals used outpatient medical care slightly differently compared to individuals with a normal BMI.

Alcohol consumption, smoking and overweight as a burden for health care services utilization: a cross-sectional study in Estonia

“…These indicators are known from previous studies to be related to both health care use and to health behaviours [12,13,20,24]. We additionally adjusted models for age and for study year, the latter to control for any period effect.…”

“…Smoking, alcohol consumption, overweight and obesity are highly prevalent among the general population in Estonia [11]. Since the 1990s, an increase has been reported for alcohol consumption and obesity (the latter only among men) [12,13]. The increasing prevalence of obesity follows similar trends in other countries [14,15].…”

“…These studies, however, did not look at the impact of unhealthy behaviours that could underlie the observed differences. Such behaviours may have an independent effect on health care utilization, as shown for obesity in a recent study by Tekkel et al [13], and in this way, impose a heavy burden on health care in society.…”

The effects of the lower ignition propensity cigarettes standard in Estonia: time-series analysis

“…However, from the time of the introduction of legislation in 2011, there has actually been no sign of considerable change in the proportion of daily smokers 28 29. In addition, excise revenues from tobacco excise taxes have constantly increased in 2011–2013, by approximately 15% in total.…”

The Level of Neighborhood Walkability in a Place of Residence and its Effect on Body Composition in Obese and Overweight Women

“…Kwasniewska et al support the need for implementing effective interventions in the society, especially in the area of weight reduction and increasing physical activity level (6). National obesity prevention programmes based on epidemiologic studies and monitoring of population health and health determinants should be developed (7).…”