Changes in body weight and waist circumference over a 9-year period (years 1991 and 2000) were quantified in a cohort of 1,044 individuals in a population of the West of Scotland. As in many other countries/regions, the prevalence of overweight and obesity increased substantially during the follow-up in both men and women. Moreover, younger men and women gained more weight than their older counterparts, and comparable weight changes were observed irrespective of occupational status groups. Similarly, there was also an increase in waist circumference over the 9-year follow-up, which was greater in younger men and women compared to older individuals. For instance, the proportion of subjects with an elevated waist circumference (≥88 cm in women and ≥102 cm in men) increased from 14.4% in 1991 to 30.5% in 2000. Once again, these results emphasize the urgent need to adopt prevention and management strategies for achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight and a normal waistline, particularly in young to middle-aged individuals.
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