Overweight, obesity and metabolic syndrome in rural southeastern Australia

Abstract

Objective: To measure the prevalence of overweight, obesity and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in rural Australia. Design, setting and participants: Cross‐sectional surveys were conducted in two rural areas in Victoria and South Australia in 2004–2005. A stratified random sample of men and women aged 25–74 years was selected from the electoral roll. Data were collected by a self‐administered questionnaire, physical measurements and laboratory tests. Main outcome measures: Prevalence of overweight and obesity, as defined by body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference; prevalence of MetS and its components. Results: Data on 806 participants (383 men and 423 women) were analysed. Based on BMI, the prevalence of overweight and obesity combined was 74.1% (95% CI, 69.7%–78.5%) in men and 64.1% (95% CI, 59.5%–68.7%) in women. Based on waist circumference, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher in women (72.4%; 95% CI, 68.1%–76.7%) than men (61.9%; 95% CI, 57.0%–66.8%). The overall prevalence of obesity was 30.0% (95% CI, 26.8%–33.2%) based on BMI (≥ 30.0 kg/m2) and 44.7% (95% CI, 41.2%–48.1%) based on waist circumference (≥ 102 cm [men] and ≥ 88 cm [women]). The prevalence of MetS as defined by the US National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III 2005 criteria was 27.1% (95% CI, 22.7%–31.6%) in men and 28.3% (95% CI, 24.0%–32.6%) in women; based on International Diabetes Federation criteria, prevalences for men and women were 33.7% (95% CI, 29.0%–38.5%) and 30.1% (95% CI, 25.7%–34.5%), respectively. Prevalences of MetS, central (abdominal) obesity, hyperglycaemia, hypertension and hypertriglyceridaemia increased with age. Conclusions: In rural Australia, prevalences of MetS, overweight and obesity are very high. Urgent population‐wide action is required to tackle the problem.

A comparison of Australian rural and metropolitan cardiovascular risk and mortality: the Greater Green Triangle and North West Adelaide population surveys

“…Details of the methodology of both studies have been published elsewhere 7–11. Discussed below is a brief summary of the setting, population and sample.…”

Occupational differences, cardiovascular risk factors and lifestyle habits in South Eastern rural Australia

“…Overall there were a total of 1563 participants, with a participation rate of 49%. A comparison of the socioeconomic background with population statistics available indicated that the participants were representative of the survey area populations [14]. …”

Deaf Genetic Testing and Psychological Well‐Being in Deaf Adults

“…Such a broadening of perspective among genetic counselors and trainees may have downstream beneficial outcomes. For example, because psychological distress is significantly associated with a variety of negative health outcomes (Janus et al, 2007), enhancing deaf individuals’ psychological well-being could play a role in reducing health disparities in physical and mental health experienced by the deaf community (Barnett et al, 2011; Fellinger et al, 2012). …”