Risk factors of overweight and obesity in Spanish population

Aim: To study the relationship between environmental factors (which may be related to the existence of an obesogenic environment) and the condition of overweight and obesity in Spanish adult population. Methods: A group of 418 individuals of 18-60 years, who were selected to constitute a representative sample of the Spanish adult population, were studied. Health, socioeconomic, physical activity and anthropometric data was recorded. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated and overweight/obesity (OW/OB) was considered when BMI >= 25 kg/m(2). Results: The risk of OW/OB was higher with increasing age [OR = 5.96 (3.20-11.13), p = 0], in people who had followed weight control diets in the past [OR = 3.28 (1.98-5.43), P < 0.001], in former smokers [OR = 2.22 (1.23-4.00), p = 0.008], in married people [OR = 1.64 (1.02-2.64), p = 0.041] and in those who slept less 8.5 hours per day [OR = 1.62 (1.05-2.52), p = 0.030]. Furthermore, the risk was lower in women [OR = 0.34 (0.22 - 0.51), p = 0], in people who practiced a sport [OR = 0.55 (0.35 to 0.85), p = 0.008], and those with university education [OR = 0.53 (0.28-1.02), p = 0.050]. There was no association between SP/OB and the place of residence (rural/urban), stress, pregnancy or the number of children. Conclusions: Efforts must be put on modifying OW/OB risk factors related to lifestyle of the Spanish population in order to decrease its prevalence.