Survey on Screening and Management of Obesity in Health Promotion Centers

Park, Sang Min; Lee, Dong Ryul; Rho, Ji Hun; Kim, Jong Sung; Huh, Bong Yul

Abstract

BACKGROUND: As the prevalence of obesity has increased, the management of obesity has become important as well. The assessment of abdominal obesity is necessary, because it is an independent risk factor of cardiovascular disease. Although WHO Western Pacific Region recommends measurement of waist circumference as well as BMI, there is no data that supports screening and management of obesity in a Health Promotion Center (HPC). Therefore, surveys concerning such issues were done among HPCs in Seoul, Incheon and Kyonggi.
METHODS
From April to May 2002, we investigated 115 general hospitals in Seoul, Incheon, Kyonggi and recruited 94 subjects. We obtained the data from a doctor or a nurse who worked in a HPC by telephone survey.
RESULTS
The number of respondents was 100 among 115 and in 94 subjects we obtained detailed information. For criteria of obesity, the proportion of hospitals that used the BMI was 35.1%, and those that use the ideal body weight was 50.0%. For criteria of overweight, the BMI was used in 19.1%, and the ideal body weight in 44.7%. Those who did not use any method was 27.7%. Those using the criteria of abdominal obesity was 35.1%, but only 14.9% used waist circumference and 16.9% used bioelectrical impedance analysis. Diet control and exercise was recommended in 57.4% and 61.4%, respectively. Drug therapy was used in 38.2%.
CONCLUSION
Although WHO Western Pacific Region recommends a new criteria of obesity, many HPCs do not follow them. Especially, the degree of recognition for abdominal obesity was low. Effort to assess and manage obesity adequately is necessary.