[Urban-rural differences in diet, BMI and education of men and women in Iceland].

Introduction: Previous Icelandic studies have reported higher prevalence of obesity among women residing outside the capital area but no comparable information is available for men. The aim of this study was to assess diet and body mass index (BMI) of adult men and women residing within and outside the capital area.

Material And Methods: Participants were 1312 men and women,18-80 years, from a random sample of the national registry, response rate 68.6%. Diet was assessed during years 2010 to 2011 using repeated 24-hour recall, weight and height self-reported. OR of BMI≥25 kg/m2 was calculated according to residence and education.

Results: Women≥46 years within the capital area had lower BMI, or 25.7 kg/m2 vs 28.4 kg/m2 p=0.007, and were less likely to have BMI>25 kg/m2, OR=0.64; CI 0.41-1.0 than those outside the area. No difference was found between the areas among men or younger women. Diets outside the capital had higher percentage of total fat compared than inside the capital. Saturated fatty acid (SFA) were 15.7E% vs 13.9E% for men, p<0.001 and 14.8E% vs 14.0E%, p=0.007 for women and trans fatty acids (TFA) were 0.9E% vs 0.7E% p%lt;0.001 and 0.8E% vs 0.7E% p=0.001 for men and women respectively.

Conclusions: Women's BMI is less associated with residence than in former Icelandic studies. Men's BMI is not associated with residence. Diets within the capital area are closer to recommended intake compared with diets outside the area.