Prevalence of overweight and obesity in the Netherlands

TLDR

National data on measured BMI prevalence and subgroup differences are lacking. The study aims to document trends in overweight and obesity prevalence in the Netherlands and to emphasize the need for national surveys to assess and guide prevention. The authors rely on regular national representative health examination surveys measuring height and weight to assess prevalence and distribution. Overweight prevalence in adult males rose from 37 % to 51 % and in females from 30 % to 42 % between 1981 and 2004, while obesity increased from 4 % to 10 % in males and 6 % to 12 % in females; in children obesity prevalence doubled or tripled from 1980 to 2004, with current rates of 9.2–17.3 % in boys and 14.6–24.6 % in girls.

Abstract

Summary This paper shows the trends in the prevalence of overweight (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 25 kg m −2 ) and obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg m −2 ) in the Netherlands. Overweight (obesity) prevalence in adult males increased from 37% (4%) in 1981 to 51% (10%) in 2004, and in adult females from 30% (6%) in 1981 to 42% (12%) in 2004, according to self‐reported data. In boys and girls, obesity prevalence doubled or even tripled from 1980 to 1997, and again from 1997 to 2002–2004 a two‐ or threefold increase was seen for almost all ages. According to the most recent data, overweight (obesity) prevalence figures range, depending on age, from 9.2% to 17.3% (2.5–4.3%) in boys, and from 14.6% to 24.6% (2.3–6.5%) in girls. There is a lack of data on the national prevalence of overweight and obesity based on measured height and weight and on prevalences in different subgroups of the population. Regular national representative health examination surveys that measure height and weight are needed to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity and its distribution over subgroups in the population, and to properly direct and evaluate prevention activities.