Table 2

Studies on the European prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) among the adult population based on self-reported and direct measurements.



Self report

Direct measure

Population
Year of Survey/Reference
Men
Women
Year of Survey/Reference
Men
Women

Denmark
2001 [80]
11.8
12.5
1991–1994 [48]
12.3
11.2
Finland
1994 [81]
12.2
12.9
1992 [51]
14.2
14.9
Germany
2002 [82]
12.1
10.3
1998 [55]
18.8
21.7
Greece
2002 [2]
20.1
16.6
2001–2002 [57], [58], [59], [60]
20.0
15.0
Italy*
1991 [83]
7.0
6.1
1998–2000 [3]
22.0
27.7
Lithuania
2002 [84]
16.2
16.0
1997 [32]
11.4
6.0
Netherlands
2001 [85]
8.9
12.4
1993–1997 [65], [66]
8.6
9.5
Portugal
1998–1999 [86]
11.5
14.2
[13]
13.9
26.1
Spain
1993 [87]
8.1
8.2
1992–1996 [12]
28.3
30.0
Sweden
2000–2001 [29]
9.6
9.3
1999 [76]
14.6
15.7
Switzerland
2000 [88]
6.0
4.0
2003 [78]
15.0
11.0
United Kingdom
2000–2001 [89]
22.0
22.0
2003 [79]
22.2
23.0

Data from selected countries, where studies best matching with regard to sample characteristics and survey date were available.

*Sample characteristics differ between direct measured samples and self report samples.

Berghöfer et al. BMC Public Health 2008 8:200   doi:10.1186/1471-2458-8-200