Regional and Social Disparities for Obesity among Austrian Adults: Representative Long-term Trends from 1973–2014

Abstract

Study aim To present regional long-term trends for the prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) among Austrian adults in Western, Central and Eastern Austria. Furthermore, the educational inequality regarding obesity was analysed in these regions in Austria for the investigation period.

Methods Self-reported data from six nationally representative, cross-sectional surveys (n=194,030) conducted between 1973 and 2014 were analysed. Absolute changes (AC) and Etiologic fractions (EF) were calculated to measure trends. The extent of social inequality was presented by the relative index of inequality (RII) based on the educational level.

Results Since 1973, a clear east to west gradient for obesity among adults in Austria has been observed. In 2014, the age-standardized prevalence was highest among Eastern Austrian adults (women: 16.9%; men: 18.2%). A constant increase in obesity among men has been visible since 1983. Since 2007, the values for women have stabilized, while the prevalence of obesity among female Austrians in Western and Central Austria decreased. Considering the AC for the prevalence of obesity from 1983 on, the highest increase was found among women (+2.60%) and men (+1.56%) in Eastern Austria. The outcomes regarding social inequality are instable on a regional level, with the highest RII observed in 2014 for Central Austria.

Conclusion These study findings reveal significant regional differences in the prevalence of obesity in Austria and confirm the existence of an current east-west gradient in Austria for obesity. Considering the latest trends, especially men represent a risk group for obesity in the 3 regions.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel der Studie Die Untersuchung regionaler Langzeittrends zur Darstellung der Prävalenz von Adipositas (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) bei Erwachsenen in West-, Zentral- und Ostösterreich. Weiterhin wird die bildungsbasierte soziale Ungleichheit für Adipositas in den 3 definierten Regionen Österreichs für den Untersuchungszeitraum analysiert.

Methodik Selbstberichtete Daten aus 6 nationalen repräsentativen Querschnittstudien (n=194 030), die zwischen 1973 und 2014 erhoben wurden, wurden zur Analyse herangezogen. Absolute changes (AC) und Etiologic fractions (EF) wurden berechnet, um die Trends zur Adipositasprävalenz zu messen. Das Ausmaß der sozialen Ungleichheit wurde mittels dem relativen Index für Ungleichheit (RII) basierend auf dem Bildungslevel dargestellt.

Ergebnisse Seit 1973 liegt ein deutliches Ost-West Gefälle im Hinblick auf die Adipositasprävalenz bei Erwachsenen in Österreich vor. 2014 war die altersstandardisierte Adipositasrate bei Personen in Ostösterreich am höchsten (Frauen: 16,9%; Männer: 18,2%). Bei Männern ist ein konstanter Anstieg seit 1983 sichtbar. Seit 2007 haben sich die Werte für Frauen in Ostösterreich stabilisiert, während die Adipositasprävalenz für Österreicherinnen aus West- und Zentralösterreich rückläufig ist. Bei Betrachtung der absoluten Veränderungen der Adipositasprävalenz gibt es den stärksten Anstieg seit 1983 bei Frauen (+2,60%) und Männern (+1,56%) in Ostösterreich. Die Ergebnisse zur sozialen Ungleichheit sind im zeitlichen Trend auf regionaler Ebene instabil. Im Jahr 2014 wies die Region „Zentralösterreich“ den höchsten RII auf.

Schlussfolgerung Diese Studienergebnisse zeigen signifikante regionale Unterschiede in der Adipositasprävalenz und bestätigen das vorliegende Ost-West Gefälle in Österreich für Adipositas. Bei Betrachtung der jüngsten Trends stellen v. a. Männer in den 3 Regionen eine Risikogruppe für Adipositas dar.

Key words

obesity - Body Mass Index - Austria - regional trends - social inequality

Schlüsselwörter

Adipositas - Body Mass Index - Österreich - regionale Trends - soziale Ungleichheit

Publication History

Article published online:
07 October 2019

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