Korean J Nutr.  2006 Oct;39(7):684-691.

Prevalence of Abdominal Obesity and Associated Factors among Korean Adults: The 2001 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

• Chung HR

Abstract

Abdominal obesity (AO) is a strong risk factor for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, which has shown a remarkable increase in Korea. This study aimed to identify prevalence of AO and related risk factors in Korean adults. A total of 5,132 men and women aged 20 - 85 years old from the 2001 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included in the analyses. AO was defined as waist circumference >= 90 cm in men and >= 85 cm in women as proposed by Korean Society of Obesity. Multiple logistic regression was carried out to identify risk factors for AO. Three models were specified: (i) demographic and socioeconomic factors (model 1: age, education, poverty income ratio, employment), (ii) lifestyle factors and covariates (model 2: physical activity, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, dietary quality, type 2 diabetes, co-morbidity) and (iii) demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors (model 3). The prevalence of AO was 24.1% in men, 23.5% in women. High poverty income ratio in men and low education attainment in women were risk factors for AO in model 1. There was a significant association of AO with alcohol consumption, physical inactivity and dietary quality in men, alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking in women. These factors except alcohol consumption in men became insignificant in model 3. This findings underscore the importance of developing AO prevention programs in Korea that target the at risk groups identified in this study. A program focusing on low income men or less educated women would be more efficient.

Keyword

waist circumference; abdominal obesity; socioeconomic status; lifestyle factor; Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Aged, 80 and over
Alcohol Drinking
Cardiovascular Diseases
Education
Female
Humans
Korea
Life Style
Logistic Models
Male
Motor Activity
Nutrition Surveys*
Obesity
Obesity, Abdominal*
Poverty
Prevalence*
Risk Factors
Smoking
Social Class
Socioeconomic Factors
Waist Circumference