This paper presents the latest obesity data in Hong Kong Chinese in 2005 as well as the trends of general and central obesity during a 10-year period. The study cohort included 84,357 subjects aged 20 years or above and recruited in three phases from April 1996 to December 2005. Results showed that the prevalence of general obesity was steady in men but declined in women during the 10-year period. In 2005, the age-standardized rate of general obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m2) was 31.0% in men and 18.8% in women. However, the prevalence of central obesity (waist girth ≥90 cm in men and ≥80 cm in women) increased from 23.0% (95% CI: 20.6-25.4) in 2001 to 26.9% (95% CI: 26.0-27.8) in 2005 in men (p<0.05) and remained stable in women with 27.5% (95% CI: 25.8-29.3) in 2001 and 26.6% (95% CI: 26.0-27.3) in 2005 (NS). Moreover, waist circumference increased by 1 cm in men and by 2 cm in women from 2001 to 2005. Even though the prevalence of general obesity appears to stabilize and even decline, the trends for central obesity are alarming and could suggest an increasing risk of developing metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
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