Prevalence of general and abdominal obesity and overweight among adults in Poland. Results of the WOBASZ II study (2013–2014) and comparison with the WOBASZ study (2003–2005)

INTRODUCTION There are limited data on the current prevalence of overweight and obesity as well as its changes with time in Poland.
OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity and overweight in Polish adults in the years 2013–2014, and to compare it with the prevalence in the years 2003–2005.
PATIENTS AND METHODS The study was conducted in 2 independent, representative samples of the Polish population, comprising 14 537 persons (aged 20–74 years) examined in the years 2003–2005 and 6164 persons (aged ≥20 years) examined in the years 2013–2014. Anthropometric measurements were done by trained nurses.
RESULTS In the years 2013–2014, the age-standardized prevalence of obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥30 kg/m2) was 24.4% in men and 25.0% in women. The prevalence of overweight (BMI, 25.0–29.9 kg/m2) was 43.2% in men and 30.5% in women. Abdominal obesity (waist circumference ≥102 cm in men or ≥88 cm in women) was noted in 32.2% of men and 45.7% of women. Abdominal overweight (waist circumference, 94–101.9 cm in men or 80–87.9 cm in women) was present in 27.2% of men and 21.7% of women. Since the years 2003–2005, the distribution of body mass according to the BMI category had shifted to higher values, and an increase in the prevalence of obesity was observed in men. The percentage of adults with normal waist circumference decreased significantly in both sexes.
CONCLUSIONS Every fourth inhabitant of Poland is obese, and during the last decade, the prevalence of obesity has increased, particularly in men. Abdominal obesity is observed in every third man and nearly every second woman, and an excess of abdominal fat has increased in both sexes.