Objective: To describe the prevalence on overweight and obesity among Chinese elderly aged 60 and above.
Methods: Data from China Chronic Disease Surveillance in 2010 was gathered and information on 19 882 subjects aged 60 and over was analyzed. Sample was weighted to represent the population of Chinese elderly. The mean and percentiles of BMI, prevalence of overweight and obesity grouped by sex, age, urban and rural areas, geographic location, education level and household income were analyzed.
Results: The mean BMI was (23.8 ± 3.6)kg/m² among the Chinese elderly. The overall prevalence of overweight was 32.1% among the Chinese elderly, with 31.0% among males and 33.3% among females (χ² = 15.23, P < 0.05), 38.3% in urban areas and 29.1% in rural areas (χ² = 29.05, P < 0.05). The overall prevalence of obesity was 12.4% among Chinese elderly, with 9.3% among males and 15.3% among females (χ² = 152.75, P < 0.05), 16.5% in urban areas and 10.3% in rural areas (χ² = 20.67, P < 0.05). Compared with those with lower income or lower education level, the prevalence rates of both overweight and obesity were higher in elderly with higher household income or higher education level. According the WHO definitions on overweight and obesity, the prevalence rates of overweight and obesity among Chinese elderly were 29.3% (25 kg/m² ≤ BMI<30 kg/m²) and 5.3% (BMI≥30 kg/m²) , respectively.
Conclusion: Approximately, 50% of the Chinese elderly showed abnormal high body mass index. The profiles of body weight among Chinese elderly were characterized by the mean of BMI and the higher prevalence rates of overweight and obesity seen in women than in men, higher in urban than in rural areas, The prevalence rates of overweight and obesity decreased with age but increased with household income and education level.