Original Article
International Journal of Obesity (2008) 32, 329–335; doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0803721; published online 11 September 2007
Nine-year incidence of obesity and overweight in an African-origin population
B Nemesure1, S-Y Wu1, A Hennis1,2,3 and M C Leske1 for the BES Group1,2,3,4
- 1Department of Preventive Medicine, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY, USA
- 2Ministry of Health, Barbados, West Indies
- 3Chronic Disease Research Centre, Tropical Medicine Research Institute, University of the West Indies, Barbados, West Indies
- 4Wilmer Institute, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
Correspondence: Dr B Nemesure, Department of Preventive Medicine, L3 HSC Room 086, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8036, USA. E-mail: bnemesure@notes.cc.sunysb.edu
Received 21 April 2007; Revised 1 July 2007; Accepted 20 July 2007; Published online 11 September 2007.
Abstract
Objective:
To provide 9-year incidence estimates for obesity and overweight and describe weight changes over time in an African-origin population.
Design:
A population-based cohort in which participants were examined at baseline and reexamined after 9 years.
Measurements:
Obesity and overweight were defined as having body mass indices (BMIs)
30 and 25 kg m-2, respectively. Incidence rates were based on persons without such conditions at baseline and are presented along with 95% confidence intervals.
Results:
Of the 869 men and 921 women at risk at baseline, the 9-year gender-specific incidence rates for obesity were 6.9% (95% confidence interval (5.3, 8.8)) and 13.1% (11.0, 15.5), respectively. The incidence of obesity steadily declined with age, decreasing from 14.4% for those between 40 and 49 years of age to 1.5% for those who were 70 years and older. Overall, the incidence of obesity over 9 years was 
10%. The 9-year incidence rate for overweight was 23.3% (20.5, 26.3). Changes in weight over the 9-year period varied by age group. Persons 40–49 years of age at baseline gained, on average, almost 3% of their baseline body weight, whereas persons 70 years lost 5% of their body weight in 9 years.
Conclusions:
This study highlights the high incidence of obesity/overweight in this cohort and suggests that the future public health burden of excess weight and its associated comorbidities may be elevated in this population of African origin. The development of strategies and interventions for the prevention and treatment of obesity/overweight are therefore of primary and immediate importance.
Keywords:
overweight, body mass index, incidence, ethnicity
MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS
These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated
REVIEWS
Association between obesity and kidney disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Kidney International Review
RESEARCH
Changes in weight and waist circumference over 9 years in a Scottish population
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition Original Article
Overweight and obesity trends among Japanese adults: a 10-year follow-up of the JPHC Study
International Journal of Obesity Original Article
Body Mass Index and Future Healthcare Costs: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Obesity Research Original Article
Tracking of overweight status from childhood to young adulthood: the Bogalusa Heart Study
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition Original Article
