[en] Background and objectives: To assess the prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity (AO) in the Spanish population aged ≥ 65 years, to analyse the influence of selected sociodemographic factors and association with risk factors. Methods: The sample comes from the ENPE study, a cross-sectional study of a representative sample of the non-institutionalized population (2014-2015). This analysis refers to the population ≥ 65 years (n = 1,233). Trained observers performed anthropometric measurements at participants' homes following standard international protocols. Obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30; AO waist > 102 cm men; > 88 cm women. Results: Estimated prevalence of obesity in adults ≥ 65 years was high, higher in women (40.1% [95% CI 36.4-43.8]) than in men (32.5% [95% CI 28.5-36.8]). The prevalence of AO was also higher in women (69.9% [95% CI 66.4-73.1]) than in men (40.7% [95% CI 36.5-44.8]), and estimates were even higher when defining AO by waist-hip ratio or waist-height ratio. Of those classified as AO, 39.8% have a BMI between 25-29. Obesity and AO are higher in the South region compared to East, North-East and Central regions and showed inverse association with educational level. Obesity and AO were associated with increased probability of hypercholesterolaemia and high blood pressure, sarcopenic obesity, and diabetes. Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity and AO in adults aged ≥ 65 years is high, higher in women, in people of lower educational level and in the South region compared to East, North-East and Central regions. The high prevalence of OA is especially worrying due to its association with cardiovascular and metabolic complications and poorer quality of life.

[es] Antecedentes y objetivos. Evaluar la prevalencia de obesidad y obesidad abdominal (OA) en población española ≥ 65 años, analizar la influencia de algunos factores sociodemográficos y su asociación con factores de riesgo. Métodos. La muestra procede del estudio ENPE, estudio transversal en muestra aleatoria representativa de la población no institucionalizada (2014-2015). Este análisis se refiere a población ≥ 65 años (n = 1.233). Observadores entrenados realizaron mediciones antropométricas en los domicilios según protocolos internacionales estandarizados. Se consideró obesidad (índice de masa corporal [IMC] ≥ 30); OA (cintura > 102 cm varones; > 88 cm mujeres). Resultados. Se ha estimado una alta prevalencia de obesidad en adultos ≥ 65 años, mayor en mujeres (40,1% [IC95% 36,4-43,8]) que en hombres (32,5% [IC95% 28,5-36,8]). La prevalencia de OA también es mayor en mujeres (69,9% [IC95% 66,4-73,1]) que en hombres (40,7% [IC95% 36,5-44,8]), y es aún mayor al definir OA considerando el índice cintura-cadera o el índice cintura-talla. El 39,8% de tipificados como OA tienen IMC entre 25-29. Obesidad y OA son más frecuentes en el sur respecto al este, norte-este y centro y tienen relación inversa con el nivel educativo. Obesidad y OA se asocian con mayor probabilidad de hipercolesterolemia e hipertensión arterial. La obesidad sarcopénica también se asocia, además, con diabetes. Conclusión. La prevalencia de obesidad y OA en adultos ≥ 65 años es alta, mayor en mujeres, en personas con menor nivel educativo y en la región sur respecto al este, norte-este y centro. Es especialmente preocupante la alta prevalencia de OA por su asociación con complicaciones cardiovasculares, metabólicas y deterioro de la calidad de vida.