Socioeconomic inequalities in obesity prevalence: Portuguese Health Examination Survey results

• Main Authors: Gaio, Vânia, Antunes, Liliana, Kislaya, Irina, Santos, Ana João, Gil, Ana Paula, Rodrigues, Ana Paula, Namorado, Sónia, Barreto, Marta, Lyshol, Heidi, Nunes, Baltazar, Dias, Carlos Matias
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, IP 2017
• Subjects: Estados de Saúde e de Doença; INSEF; Inquérito Nacional de Saúde com Exame Físico; Obesidade; Socioeconomic Inequalities; Obesity; Portigal; Portuguese Health Examination Survey; Norway; Iceland
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.18/4346

Background: Obesity is recognized as a serious public health issue, both as a disease in itself and as an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. The First Portuguese National Health Examination Survey (INSEF 2015) aimed at obtain in-depth knowledge about health status and determinants and contribute to the reduction of health inequalities. The goal of this analysis was to estimate the prevalence and to assess socioeconomic inequalities in obesity, through direct measurement of weight and height. Methods: INSEF is a nationally representative cross-sectional prevalence study conducted on 4911 adults aged 25-74 years old, in 2015. It included physical examination, blood collection and personal interview. INSEF participants’ height and weight were measured according to European Health Examination Survey procedures. Obesity was defined as body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2. Poisson regression was applied to estimate prevalence ratios (aPR) of obesity according to sex, age group, education and employment status, adjusted for confounding. Results: Overall national prevalence of obesity was 28.7%, [95% CI 26.8; 30.6]. The prevalence of obesity was higher among females (32.1%, aPR =1.3, [1.2, 1.4]) than males (24.9%). Prevalence was higher in 65-74 years old age group (41.8% vs. 12.5%, aPR=2.4, [1.5, 3.6]). , compared to the 25-34 years old group. Individuals with no education or first grade basic education had double the prevalence of obesity than those with higher education (14.7% vs43.1%, aPR=2.1, [1.6, 2.8]). Conclusions: Obesity affects 287 per 1000 adults aged 25-74 years old in Portugal. INSEF provides evidence that a higher prevalence of obesity is found in older individuals, with lower education levels. Public health interventions that focus on specific population subgroups are required for obesity prevention, namely, throughout health literacy strategies. The Portuguese National Health Examination Survey is developed as a part of the project “Improvement of epidemiological health information to support public health decision and management in Portugal. Towards reduced inequalities, improved health, and bilateral cooperation”, that benefits from a 1.500.000€ Grant from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA Grants. N/A