Prevalence of obesity and overweight in male 18-year-olds in Austria from 2006 to 2010: an update

Abstract

Background: Obesity is one of the most important health-related problems in the 21st century. Data on its respective prevalence in Austria remain scarce. The aim of this study was to determine the current trends of overweight and obesity classes in a subset of 18-years-old male subjects and its potential impact on future bariatric surgery demand.Methods: Data from compulsory military conscription examinations in male 18-year-olds from 2006 to 2010 were obtained from the Federal Ministry of Defense database. Measurements of height, weight and subsequent BMI calculations in 211,221 conscripts were subdivided into yearly cohorts. Overweight was defined as BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m 2 , obesity grade I as BMI 30.0-34.9 kg/ m 2 and obesity grade IIþ as BMI ‡ 35.0 kg/m 2 . Furthermore, the number of conscripts who became ineligible for military service caused by their obesity diagnosis (ICD-10 E66.x) was recorded.Results: Mean BMI increased from 23.16 ± 3.90 kg/m 2 (2006) to 23.41 ± 3.98 kg/m 2 (2010; p < 0.001). Overweight, obesity grade I and obesity grade IIþ increased from 18.77%, 5.36%, 2.12% in 2006 to 20.57%, 5.96%, 2.40% in 2010, respectively. Furthermore, an increasing gradient of overweight, obesity grade I and IIþ from west to east was found. In 2006 0.19% and in 2010 0.48% of all conscripts were considered ineligible military service.Conclusions: BMI remains increasing in Austrian adolescents. Obesity stage IIþ shows a continuous increase that will lead to a higher demand for bariatric procedures in the future.

Socioeconomic, Temporal and Regional Variation in Body Mass Index among 188,537 Swiss Male Conscripts Born between 1986 and 1992

“…The levels of OB (BMI≥30 kg/m 2 ) were slightly lower in Switzerland than in the listed countries (5.8% vs. 8.1–8.5%). In Finland, the plateauing of the OWOB increase among conscripts appeared four years earlier (in 2005/2006) than when it was signalled in Switzerland [67], whereas the BMI values of Austrian conscripts showed no signs of stabilization between 2006 and 2010 [65]. However, because conscription procedures and age-at-conscription rules vary from country to country, in the absence of a comparative international study these figures should be treated with caution.…”

Finding big shots: small-area mapping and spatial modelling of obesity among Swiss male conscripts

“…Obesity prevalence (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m 2 ) of 1,503 young men aged 15-24 participating in SHS in 2012 was 3.2 % and thus also lower compared with the conscripts, possibly due to the fact that SHS data were self-reported [ 25 ]. The levels of obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m 2 ) were slightly lower in Switzerland (5.8 %) compared to other European countries with mandatory conscription in 2010/2011 (Germany 8.5 %, Denmark 8.7 %, Austria 8.4 %) [ 52 , 84 ]. In Austria, obesity prevalence among the conscripts varies between 6.9 % and 9.6 % between the three major regions of the country [ 52 ].…”

“…The levels of obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m 2 ) were slightly lower in Switzerland (5.8 %) compared to other European countries with mandatory conscription in 2010/2011 (Germany 8.5 %, Denmark 8.7 %, Austria 8.4 %) [ 52 , 84 ]. In Austria, obesity prevalence among the conscripts varies between 6.9 % and 9.6 % between the three major regions of the country [ 52 ]. To our knowledge, this current study is the first in Switzerland, and generally the first based on conscription data, to analyse small-area variation in obesity prevalence on national level.…”

“…The process is repeated annually and provides valuable anthropometric data on young men of a directive age [ 45 ]. Though these conscription systems are not outlined for collection of such data per se, they have successfully served as a basis for epidemiological studies in Switzerland [ 29 , 46 , 47 ], Sweden [ 48 , 49 ], Austria [ 50 – 52 ], and Germany [ 53 ]. Though limited to young males, the prevalence of conscripts’ OBOW remains a valuable research source because obesity in young adulthood increases the likelihood of being obese later in life, and the morbidity and mortality risks of men increase with advancing age [ 6 , 54 ].…”

Swedish adjustable gastric banding – an underestimated risk factor for the development of esophageal cancer?

“…Obese patients are prone to suffer from GERD and all its consequences more frequently than persons with normal body weight [4,5]. The prevalence of obesity is increasing continuously in Austria [6].…”