High prevalence of obesity in a Spanish working population.

Objective: To report the prevalence of obesity in a Spanish working population and its changes in recent years.

Methods: Data were collected from routine medical examinations performed on workers by a national mutual insurance society for occupational accidents and diseases (Ibermutuamur). A structured questionnaire was completed and physical examinations were performed. Overweight was defined as BMI ranging from 25 and 29.9, obesity as BMI of 30-39.9, and morbid obesity as BMI ≥ 40 kg/m(2).

Results: Data from 1,336,055 medical examinations performed from May 2004 to November 2007 were collected. Prevalence rates in the population examined in 2004 (n=230,684; 73% males; average age, 36.4 years) were: morbid obesity, 0.5% (0.6% males, 0.5% females); obesity, 14.5% (17.0% males, 7.7% females); overweight, 38.4% (44.8% males, 21.3% females). Prevalence rates of obesity and overweight were higher in blue-collar workers (16.4% and 40.5% respectively) as compared to white-collar workers (10.9% and 34.4% respectively). There was a progressive increase in prevalence of obesity during the 4-year study (2004-2007) in both males (17.0%, 17.6%, 17.9%, 18.2%) and females (7.6%, 8.0%, 8.4%, 8.7%).

Conclusions: Prevalence of obesity and overweight in the Spanish working population is high, especially in male blue-collar workers, and is increasing. There is a need to promote early prevention programs and specific treatments for obesity.