[Overweight. I. Prevalence and trends]

Abstract

In the Netherlands, the prevalence of overweight and obesity defined by Body Mass Indexes (BMI, weight in kg, divided by squared height in m) of 25-30 kg/m2 and > or = 30 kg/m2, respectively, is 30-40%. As to obesity, the prevalence of 7% in males and 11% in females is intermediate between the high prevalences in the USA and modernizing and industrializing developing countries and the low prevalences in China and Japan. However, the trend over the last decade is alarming. The Netherlands is amongst the highest together with the USA, UK and Germany; mainly males have an increased risk of obesity and youngsters and subjects with low education an increased risk of overweight.