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Prevalence of Obesity and Associated Complications in China: A Nationwide, Cross-Sectional, Observational, Real-World Study in 15.8 Million Adults
40 Pages Posted: 14 Dec 2022
More...Abstract
Background: Studies of overweight/obesity prevalence in China have provided limited data regarding weight-related complications. We evaluated the prevalence of overweight/obesity and associated complications from a cross-sectional, health check-up database among a large, nationwide sample of 15.8 million adults in China.
Methods: Data were from Meinian Health check-up centres (519 in 243 cities). Eligibility criteria included participants with a routine check-up in 2019 (N=21 771 683), age ≥18 years, and complete height, weight, sex, and region data. Prevalence of overweight/obesity were calculated by age, sex, and region based on both the Chinese-specific and WHO body mass index (BMI) classification. Prevalence of obesity-related complications by BMI groups were calculated using logistic regression.
Findings: There were N=15 770 094 eligible participants (median age, 40 years; mean BMI 24·13 kg/m2; 52·79% male). By Chinese classification, 34·78% had overweight (BMI 24–<28 kg/m2) and 14·07% had obesity (BMI ≥28 kg/m2); standardised nationwide prevalences were similar (33·9% and 13·7%). Overweight/obesity were more prevalent in males vs females (standardised: overweight, 40·2% vs 27·4%; obesity, 17·6% vs 9·64%, respectively). Prevalences of assessed complications were higher in overweight/obese participants vs normal BMI (p<0·001 for trends). The most prevalent complications with overweight/obesity were fatty liver disease (overweight: 49·00%; obesity: 81·83%), prediabetes (34·51%; 45·92%), dyslipidaemia (31·30%; 42·42%), and hypertension (20·69%; 36·87%). Complication numbers increased with higher BMI.
Interpretation: Overweight/obesity and complications are highly prevalent among adults. These data may better inform management and prevention public health strategies in China.
Funding Statement: Supported by Novo Nordisk (China) Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd
Declaration of Interests: Zewei Shen and Xuan Qi are employees of Novo Nordisk and are shareholders of Novo Nordisk Pharma. All other authors declare no competing interests [Yi Ning TBC].
Ethics Approval Statement: The study was approved by the Peking University Institutional Review Board (IRB00001052-19077).
Keywords: Obesity, Overweight, China, Prevalence, weight-related complications
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation