The obesity epidemic as harbinger of a metabolic disorder epidemic: trends in overweight, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes treatment in Geneva, Switzerland, 1993-2003

Am J Public Health. 2005 Apr;95(4):632-5. doi: 10.2105/2004.047877.

Abstract

Increases in obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes may be under way in Europe. We have reported the only data available from the 1990s for continuous monitoring of chronic disease risk factors in random samples of a general European population. In random surveys (1993-2003) of 6164 men and 6107 women in Geneva, overweight and obesity combined increased in both men and women; hypercholesterolemia prevalence also rose; diabetes treatment increased in men. Only population-based interventions can prevent the impending epidemic of obesity-related disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Body Mass Index
  • Diabetes Mellitus / epidemiology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypercholesterolemia / epidemiology*
  • Male
  • Metabolic Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / epidemiology*
  • Population Surveillance
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Switzerland / epidemiology