Fræðigrein

Objective: Obesity and diabetes are increasing problems worldwide. Therefore, new data on these issues are of importance. Here, we publish data on body mass index (BMI) and prevalence of diabetes of type 2 in Iceland.

Material and methods: Mean BMI (kg/m2), prevalence of diabetes type 2 and obesity in people aged 45-64 years were evaluated from 1967 to 2007. Data on type 2 diabetes was based on four population Icelandic Heart Association studies (newest the REFINE (The Risk Evaluation For INfarct Estimates) Reykjavik study from 2006) with total of 17.757 individuals. Data on BMI was in addition based on three further studies, total 20.519 individuals. The same estimates were then performed for 25-84 year old people in the years 2004-2007. These were based on data from the REFINE Reykjavik study 2.410 individuals and the AGES Reykjavik study 3.027 individuals and.

Results: In the years 1967-2007 mean BMI increased by 2 units in both genders (45-64 year) and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes doubled in men, while the increase in women was 50%. In the years 2004-2007 the prevalence of diabetes type 2 in 25-84 year old people was 6% in men and 3% in women and the prevalence of obesity was 23% in men and 21% in women.

Conclusions: Mean BMI is increasing in Iceland, especially after 1980. Prevalence of diabetes coincides with increasing body mass index.

 

 

 

Figure 1. Mean weight of 25-84 year old people 2004-2007 with 95% confidence interval and weight if body mass index (BMI) were 24.9. BMI based on mean height by age group.

 

Figure 2. Changes in mean body mass index (BMI) in 45-64 year old people in Iceland 1967-2007 with 95% confidence interval.

 

Figure 3. Changes in prevalence of obesity (BMI 30 or higher) in 45-64 year old people in Iceland 1967-2007 with 95% confidence interval.

 

Figure 4. Changes in regular exercise in leisure time in 45-64 year old people in Iceland 1967 2007 with 95% confidence interval.

 

Figure 5. Changes in prevalence of type 2 diabetes (known and unknown) in 45-64 year old people in Iceland 1967-2007 with 95% confidence interval. Trend shown with blue and red lines

 

Figure 6. Prevalence of type 2 diabetes (known and unknown) in 25-84 year old people in Iceland 2004-2007 with 95% confidence interval.

 

Figure 7. Prevalence of obesity in 25-84 year old people in Iceland 2004-2007 with 95% confidence interval.

 

Table I. Mean body height, weight and body mass index (BMI) by sex and age group in 25-84 year old people in Iceland 2004-2007.

 

Table II. Trends in body mass index in Iceland and Sweden in middle aged people from 1985 to 2002. Swedish data adopted from Berg C, et al.