Six-year changes in the prevalence of obesity and obesity-related diseases in Northeastern China from 2007 to 2013

Obesity and obesity-related diseases are important public health challenges. In this study, we aimed to provide updated trends in the prevalence of these conditions. We conducted two independent cross-sectional surveys of the general population aged 20–75 years in 2007 and 2013 in Jilin, China. A total of 3636 (1719 males) and 1359 (602 males) participants were enrolled in the 2007 and 2013 surveys, respectively. Obesity-related diseases were defined as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The age-standardized prevalence of obesity, overweight, diabetes, pre-diabetes, dyslipidemia and NAFLD increased from 2007 to 2013 from 15.82% to 19.41%, 35.85% to 41.80%, 6.37% to 9.23%, 16.77% to 23.49%., 53.46% to 65.50%, and 23.48% to 44.31% in males, respectively, and from 13.18% to 18.77%, 31.11% to 37.54%, 4.41% to 8.48%, 8.10% to 16.49%, 41.96% to 54.70%, and 17.56% to 43.06% in females, respectively. However, the prevalence of hypertension remained stable (males: 38.10% vs. 38.63% and females: 33.04% vs. 33.01% in 2007 and 2013, respectively). The prevalence of obesity and obesity-related diseases, except for hypertension, increased significantly in the general population in Northeastern China. More targeted measures should be implemented to address the serious challenges presented by these diseases.