Prevalence and 10-year secular trend of obesity in Oman

To determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity by age, gender and region and to assess the difference between rural and urban populations and determine the trends of the past decade. Analysis of nationally represented samples from 2 cross-sectional surveys conducted in 1991 and 2000, containing 5,086 and 6,400 Omani citizens aged >or=20 years. Body mass index (BMI) (weight in kg) divided by height (in meters squared) was calculated using measured height and weight data. Overweight was defined as BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2 and obesity as BMI >or= 30 kg/m2. In the year 2000, the age adjusted prevalence of obesity reached 16.7% in men, compared to 10.5% in 1991 (p