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- Title
Associations of obesity with socioeconomic and lifestyle factors in middle-aged and elderly men: European Male Aging Study (EMAS).
- Authors
Han, T. S.; Lee, D. M.; Lean, M. E. J.; Finn, J. D.; O'Neill, T. W.; Bartfai, G.; Forti, G.; Giwercman, A.; Kula, K.; Pendleton, N.; Punab, M.; Rutter, M. K.; Vanderschueren, D.; Huhtaniemi, I. T.; Wu, F. C. W.; Casanueva, F. F.
- Abstract
Background: Social and lifestyle influences on age-related changes in body morphology are complex because lifestyle and physiological response to social stress can affect body fat differently. Objective: In this study, we examined the associations of socioeconomic status (SES) and lifestyle factors with BMI and waist circumference (WC) in middle-aged and elderly European men. Design and setting: A cross-sectional study of 3319 men aged 40-79 years recruited from eight European centres. Outcomes: We estimated relative risk ratios (RRRs) of overweight/obesity associated with unfavourable SES and lifestyles. Results: The prevalence of BMI ≥30 kg/m² or WC >102 cm rose linearly with age, except in the eighth decade when high BMI, but not high WC, declined. Among men aged 40-59 years, compared with non-smokers or most active men, centre and BMI-adjusted RRRs for having a WC between 94 and 101.9 cm increased by 1.6-fold in current smokers, 2.7-fold in least active men and maximal at 2.8-fold in least active men who smoked. Similar patterns but greater RRRs were observed for men with WC ≥102 cm, notably 8.4-fold greater in least active men who smoked. Compared with men in employment, those who were not in employment had increased risk of having a high WC by 1.4-fold in the 40-65 years group and by 1.3-fold in the 40-75 years group. These relationships were weaker among elderly men. Conclusion: Unfavourable SES and lifestyles associate with increased risk of obesity, especially in middle-aged men. The combination of inactivity and smoking was the strongest predictor of high WC, providing a focus for health promotion and prevention at an early age.
- Subjects
EUROPE; MIDDLE-aged men; SOCIOECONOMIC factors; OBESITY risk factors; PREVENTION of obesity; LIFESTYLES; DISEASES
- Publication
European Journal of Endocrinology, 2015, Vol 172, Issue 1, p59
- ISSN
0804-4643
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1530/EJE-14-0739