The impact of obesity on cardiovascular disease mortality in the District Sumperk, Czech Republic

Summary

Objective:

The impact of obesity on cardiovascular mortality in the District Sumperk (C2) is assessed.

Methods:

A case-control design was selected to study the impact of obesity on cardiovascular mortality among the population of the District Sumperk, Czech Republic. Exposure to obesity was defined as body-mass index (BMI) higher or equal 30. Men and women with BMI lower than 30 were considered nonexposed. Odds ratios were calculated, comparing the probability of exposure among cases and controls. Cases were defined as persons from the studied population who died between 1987–2004, the cause of death being circulatory system diseases. Controls were persons from the studied population who had not died as to December 31, 2004.

Results:

Cases were more likely to be obese than controls (OR = 1.68; 95 % CI 1.56–1.80). In men OR was 1.56 (95 % CI 1.40–1.74), in women OR was 1.89 (95 % CI 1.72–2.06). The impact of obesity was decreasing with increasing age.

Conclusions:

An increased risk of cardiovascular mortality following exposure to obesity was observed. Younger age groups seem to be the important target population for preventive programmes focusing on treatment of obesity.