Prevalence in the eligibility for weight loss treatment in a Mediterranean population.

The aim of the present study was to analyse the prevalence and time trends of the subjects in a Mediterranean population meeting the criteria for weight loss treatment according to the National Institutes of Health (US) treatment algorithm proposed by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's Obesity Education Initiative Expert Panel. A random sample of the 25-74 year old population (n 4908) of Gerona, Spain, was examined in 1994-1995 and 1999-2000 in two independent population-based cross-sectional surveys. Cardiovascular risk factors, lifestyle measures and anthropometric variables were analysed. The prevalence of subjects meeting the criteria for weight loss treatment according to the National Institutes of Health algorithm significantly increased from 46.4 to 52.9 % in men and from 35.1 to 40.4 % in women from 1995 to 2000. Stratifying this analysis for age groups revealed a significant increase among women aged 25 to 39 years and the older age group (60 to 74 years) of both genders. This increase was mainly observed in men and women with primary school education. The high prevalence of subjects meeting the criteria for weight loss treatment and the increasing secular trend is an important issue for health policy. This trend is more pronounced in older age groups and among the population with a basic educational level.