Epidemiology and public health aspects of overweight in Austria

The importance of overweight not only for individual health and life expect ancy but also for resulting health economics is stressed considering data f rom Austria. Epidemiology of overweight in Austria shows 8.5% of the popula tion to be morbidly obese (Body Mass Index [BMI] higher than 30) and 14,5% overweight (BMI between 27 and 29.9). Prevalence of overweight in Austria s hows a very masked decrease from eastern to the western districts of the co untry. As in other countries correlation of overweight with cardiovascular risk factors (cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose and systolic blood pressu re) was found to be highly significant also in Austrian health screening pr ograms. As far as treatment of overweight and its prevention is concerned n ot only short term weight loss, but it maintenance is important. Not only a realistic change in feeding behaviour and dieting but also a change in lif e style including regular physical activity is recommended requiring repeat ed and long-term controlling by qualified persons of the health profession.