Trends of obesity prevalence among Spanish adults with diabetes, 1987–2012

Abstract Introduction and objective Our aim was to examine the secular trends in obesity prevalence among Spanish adults with diabetes. Material and methods Data were collected from 8 waves (from 1987 to 2012) of the National Health Surveys (NHS). NHS are cross-sectional studies conducted in representative samples of the Spanish adult population. Data of 7378 adults (≥16 years) who reported having been diagnosed of diabetes were analyzed. Previously validated self-reported weight and height were used to estimate body mass index (BMI). Obesity was defined as a BMI of 30 kg/m 2 or greater. Age-adjusted obesity prevalence for each wave was calculated by the direct standardization method. Results From 1987 to 2012 age-adjusted prevalence of obesity among persons with diabetes increased from 18.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 14.2–22.2%) to 39.8% (95% CI: 36.8–42.8%). Age-adjusted prevalence of obesity in males with diabetes increased from 13.2% (95% CI: 7.3–19.1%) to 38.0% (95% CI: 33.8–42.1%) and in females from 23.0% (95% CI: 17.6–28.4%) to 42.3% (95% CI: 38.0–46.6%). Conclusions Between 1987 and 2012 the prevalence of obesity markedly increased in Spain among adults with diabetes.