Overweight and Obesity Difference of Chinese Population Between Different Urbanization Levels

Creator(s)

Xiangyang Tian, Fudan University
Genming Zhao, Fudan University
Yinghua Li, Chinese Center for Health Education
Liang Wang, East Tennessee State UniversityFollow
Ying Shi, Ministry of Health of People's Republic of China

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2014

Description

Purpose: To determine the difference of Body Mass Index (BMI), the prevalence of overweight and obesity, and their predictors among residents of different urbanization levels in China. Methods: A stratified, multistage, random cluster sampling method was used to select a representative sample aged 18-60 years in metropolitan, prefecture, and rural areas in 4 provinces and Beijing City in China. A total of 6,159 residents were interviewed. Multiple logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between urbanization levels and the prevalence of overweight/obesity adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle factors. Findings: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 21.0% and 2.5%, respectively. Compared to metropolitan residents (BMI = 22.76 ± 3.20 kg/m2), rural and prefecture residents had a higher BMI, 23.17 ± 3.49 kg/m2 (P <001) and 23.06 ± 3.31 kg/m2 (P =.004), respectively. Multiple logistic regression showed that, compared to the rural residents, those in prefecture and metropolitan areas were less likely to be overweight and obese (OR = 0.80 [95% CI: 0.68-0.94] and OR = 0.68 [95% CI: 0.57-0.80], respectively). The prevalence of overweight/obesity was higher in males (OR = 1.68 [95% CI: 1.43-1.97]) and patients with noncommunicable chronic diseases (NCD; OR = 2.50 [95% CI: 2.16-2.89]). Less frequency of physical activity was associated with a higher prevalence of overweight/obesity (OR: 0.85, [95% CI: 0.74, 0.97]). Conclusions: The rural population had an increased prevalence of overweight/obesity compared to both the prefecture and metropolitan populations. Male gender, older age, and NCD were positively associated with the prevalence of overweight/obesity. Policies are urgently needed to combat the overweight and obesity challenge in rural China.

Citation Information

Tian, Xiangyang; Zhao, Genming; Li, Yinghua; Wang, Liang; and Shi, Ying. 2014. Overweight and Obesity Difference of Chinese Population Between Different Urbanization Levels. Journal of Rural Health. Vol.30(1). 101-112. https://doi.org/10.1111/jrh.12041 PMID: 24383489 ISSN: 0890-765X