Epidemiological study of obesity in populations of different racial, cultural, economic and dietary backgrounds

Czech version

Authors: M. Zelenková ^1–3; L. Zelenka ⁴; I. Knížková ⁵; P. Kunc ⁵; V. Lovětínská ⁴; D. Lukešová ²
Authors‘ workplace: Centrum pro léčbu obezity, ISCARE I. V. F. a. s., Praha ¹; Katedra chovu zvířat a potravinářství v tropech, FTZ – ČZU v Praze ²; Multioborová JIP, Nemocnice Na Františku, Praha ³; Centrum pro traumatologii, ÚVN – VFN Praha ⁴; Výzkumný ústav živočišné výroby, v. v. i., Praha ⁵
Published in: Gastroent Hepatol 2017; 71(4): 341-347
Category:
doi: https://doi.org/10.14735/amgh2017341

Overview

The aim of this work was to evaluate the current situation of body mass index (BMI) values within the global population in terms of geographical region, cultural and economic differences. It was used to test the hypothesis that BMI values differ according to geographical region, culture, and economic performance. Based on statistical evaluation of data from 2010 and 2014 provided by the World Health Organisation (WHO), there has been a statistically insignificant increase in BMI in specific areas of the world. In both periods in question, North America led with the highest BMI values, whereas countries in the sub-Saharan Africa had the lowest BMI values. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) in the values of BMI between most evaluated areas. Similarly, there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between economically developed and economically less developed countries. However, the increase in BMI values between 2010 and 2014 was statistically inconclusive in both economies. The highest BMI in the monitored period was detected in Christian countries, followed by Islamic countries, and finally in countries where Buddhism and Hinduism are the dominant religions. In this context, among economically less-developed countries, Christian countries had the highest BMI values, whereas among economically developed countries Islamic countries had the highest BMI values. There was no significant difference in BMI values between economically developed and economically less-developed Buddhist and Hinduism countries. Thus, the hypothesis was judged correct.

Key words:
body mass index – geographical region – economic development – culture

The authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study.

The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE „uniform requirements“ for biomedical papers.

Submitted:
16. 11. 2016

Accepted:
4. 1. 2017

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