Mapping geographical variation in obesity in Finland
Background: The prevalence of obesity varies across countries. However, less is known about the geographical, within-country variation. This study investigated and visualized the geographical differences in general obesity defined by body mass index (BMI) and in abdominal obesity defined by waist ci...
Published in: | The European Journal of Public Health |
---|---|
Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
Format: | Text |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Oxford University Press
2008
|
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://eurpub.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/18/6/637 https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckn089 |
id |
fthighwire:oai:open-archive.highwire.org:eurpub:18/6/637 |
---|---|
record_format |
openpolar |
spelling |
fthighwire:oai:open-archive.highwire.org:eurpub:18/6/637 2023-05-15T17:42:42+02:00 Mapping geographical variation in obesity in Finland Lahti-Koski, Marjaana Taskinen, Olli Similä, Minna Männistö, Satu Laatikainen, Tiina Knekt, Paul Valsta, Liisa M. 2008-12-01 00:00:00.0 text/html http://eurpub.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/18/6/637 https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckn089 en eng Oxford University Press http://eurpub.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/18/6/637 http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckn089 Copyright (C) 2008, Oxford University Press Health-related behaviours TEXT 2008 fthighwire https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckn089 2008-12-25T20:24:22Z Background: The prevalence of obesity varies across countries. However, less is known about the geographical, within-country variation. This study investigated and visualized the geographical differences in general obesity defined by body mass index (BMI) and in abdominal obesity defined by waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) in Finland. Subjects and methods: Data for the study consisted of three large population surveys: Health 2000 Survey with a nationally representative sample together with the National FINRISK Study conducted in five areas in 1997 and six areas in 2002. Altogether, 17 816 men and women aged 30–64 years participated in the surveys. In each survey, subjects’ weight, height and circumferences of waist and hip were measured. The geographical pattern of mean anthropometric values and obesity prevalence were studied applying a Bayesian hierarchical approach and Geographical Information Systems. Results: Both in men and women, the prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg m−2) varied little across geographical areas, but it was smaller in cities compared with other areas across the country. In men, the prevalence of abdominal obesity defined both by waist circumference and WHR was higher in western Finland compared with southern and northern Finland. Also in women, the prevalence of abdominal obesity was highest in western Finland, especially as defined by waist circumference. Conclusions: Geographical variation in BMI was different and less prominent than in waist circumference and WHR. Abdominal obesity was surprisingly high in western Finland, the area seldom investigated. Mapping obesity gives a useful tool for professionals working in the field of health promotion. Text Northern Finland HighWire Press (Stanford University) The European Journal of Public Health 18 6 637 643 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
HighWire Press (Stanford University) |
op_collection_id |
fthighwire |
language |
English |
topic |
Health-related behaviours |
spellingShingle |
Health-related behaviours Lahti-Koski, Marjaana Taskinen, Olli Similä, Minna Männistö, Satu Laatikainen, Tiina Knekt, Paul Valsta, Liisa M. Mapping geographical variation in obesity in Finland |
topic_facet |
Health-related behaviours |
description |
Background: The prevalence of obesity varies across countries. However, less is known about the geographical, within-country variation. This study investigated and visualized the geographical differences in general obesity defined by body mass index (BMI) and in abdominal obesity defined by waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) in Finland. Subjects and methods: Data for the study consisted of three large population surveys: Health 2000 Survey with a nationally representative sample together with the National FINRISK Study conducted in five areas in 1997 and six areas in 2002. Altogether, 17 816 men and women aged 30–64 years participated in the surveys. In each survey, subjects’ weight, height and circumferences of waist and hip were measured. The geographical pattern of mean anthropometric values and obesity prevalence were studied applying a Bayesian hierarchical approach and Geographical Information Systems. Results: Both in men and women, the prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg m−2) varied little across geographical areas, but it was smaller in cities compared with other areas across the country. In men, the prevalence of abdominal obesity defined both by waist circumference and WHR was higher in western Finland compared with southern and northern Finland. Also in women, the prevalence of abdominal obesity was highest in western Finland, especially as defined by waist circumference. Conclusions: Geographical variation in BMI was different and less prominent than in waist circumference and WHR. Abdominal obesity was surprisingly high in western Finland, the area seldom investigated. Mapping obesity gives a useful tool for professionals working in the field of health promotion. |
format |
Text |
author |
Lahti-Koski, Marjaana Taskinen, Olli Similä, Minna Männistö, Satu Laatikainen, Tiina Knekt, Paul Valsta, Liisa M. |
author_facet |
Lahti-Koski, Marjaana Taskinen, Olli Similä, Minna Männistö, Satu Laatikainen, Tiina Knekt, Paul Valsta, Liisa M. |
author_sort |
Lahti-Koski, Marjaana |
title |
Mapping geographical variation in obesity in Finland |
title_short |
Mapping geographical variation in obesity in Finland |
title_full |
Mapping geographical variation in obesity in Finland |
title_fullStr |
Mapping geographical variation in obesity in Finland |
title_full_unstemmed |
Mapping geographical variation in obesity in Finland |
title_sort |
mapping geographical variation in obesity in finland |
publisher |
Oxford University Press |
publishDate |
2008 |
url |
http://eurpub.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/18/6/637 https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckn089 |
genre |
Northern Finland |
genre_facet |
Northern Finland |
op_relation |
http://eurpub.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/18/6/637 http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckn089 |
op_rights |
Copyright (C) 2008, Oxford University Press |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckn089 |
container_title |
The European Journal of Public Health |
container_volume |
18 |
container_issue |
6 |
container_start_page |
637 |
op_container_end_page |
643 |
_version_ |
1766144606913691648 |