Two out of five men and almost a third of women around the world are now overweight, a major population study has shown. Almost a quarter of men and 27 percent of women are fat enough to be considered obese, according to the findings. Doctors assessed 168,159 people aged 18 to 80 in 63 countries across five continents. A tape measure was used to record the waist circumference of all those taking part. Relative weight and height were also measured to provide Body Mass Index (BMI) figures.
Lead author Dr. Beverly Balkau, from French state-run medical research institute Inserm, in Villejuif, said, "This is the largest study to assess the frequency of adiposity (body fat) in the clinic, providing a snapshot of patients worldwide.
"The study results show that excess body weight is pandemic, with one half to two-thirds of the overall study population being overweight or obese.
"Central adiposity adds significantly to the risk of developing heart disease and particularly of developing diabetes."
The findings were published by the American Heart Association journal Circulation.
More than half the study population -- 56 percent of men and 71 percent of women - had over-wide waistlines measuring 37 inches and 31.5 inches respectively.
Expanding waistlines resulted in a significant increase in heart disease and diabetes rates, said Dr. Balkau.
For men, every extra 5.5 inches around the waist corresponded to a 35 percent higher frequency of heart disease, she said.
For women, an increase of about six inches around the waist equated to a 40 percent greater rate of heart disease.
"Even in people who are lean, an increasing waist circumference means increasing risk for heart disease and diabetes," said Dr. Balkau.
As measured by BMI, more than 60 percent of men and 50 percent of women were either overweight or obese.
Obesity rates differed between regions and for both men and women ranged from a low of 7 percent in southern and eastern Asia to 36 percent in Canada.
The overall frequency of heart disease revealed by the study was 16 percent in men and 13 percent in women.
Heart disease rates were high in eastern Europe, where the frequency was 27 percent for men and 24 percent for women.
Despite Canada's high obesity levels, the frequency of heart disease there was relatively low -- 16 percent for men and 8 percent for women.
Diabetes rates varied more than those for cardiovascular disease. Overall, 13 percent of men and 11 percent of women were diagnosed with diabetes. Dr. Balkau added her voice to the growing number calling for more action to stem the rising tide of obesity and excess weight.
"A change is needed or the public health situation for heart disease and diabetes will become worse," she said.
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