Overweight and obesity: a major challenge for coronary heart disease secondary prevention in clinical practice in Europe

Aims To evaluate the management of overweight and obesity in coronary arter y disease patients in Europe. Methods and Results The EUROASPIRE Study is a multicentre epidemiological s tudy involving nine European countries. The major cardiovascular risk facto rs and their management were collected from hospital records and measured a t least 6 months after hospitalization during a specific interview. A total of 4863 consecutive records from men and women with coronary artery diseas e, under 71 years of age, were reviewed. Interviews were obtained for 3569 (73%). Body mass index was computed from height and weight noted in the med ical records and measured at interview. Management of overweight and obesit y was recorded at interview. At least 6 months after hospitalization, 75% o f women and 80% of men were overweight and 33% of women and 23% of men were obese. Height noted in medical records was over-estimated, inducing an und er-estimation of obesity in 16% of men and 33% of women. Advice from a nutr itionist was offered in less than 20% of obese patients. The same trends we re observed in all participating countries. Conclusions Prevalences of overweight and obesity are high in coronary arte ry disease patients in Europe. A systematic measurement of height and weigh t is a prerequisite to a better management of this common modifiable risk f actor. (Eur Heart J 2000; 21: 808-813) (C) 2000 The European Society of Car diology.