OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalences of overweight and obesity in the rural communities in Hanzhong, Shaanxi Province.

METHODSA total of 3030 residents in the rural areas of Hanzhong city were selected by stratified random sampling method to take questionnaire-based survey and physical examinations.

RESULTSThe data of 3017 valid subjects (1048 men and 1969 women) entered the final analysis. The average body mass index was (22.9±4.2) kg/m(2) [(23.0±5.5) kg/m(2) in men and (22.9±3.2) kg/m(2) in women]. The prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were 27.9% and 5.9% respectively, and the standardized rates were 23.4% and 5.4%, respectively. More specifically, prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were 28.3% and 6.1% in men (standardized rates were 24.7% and 7.5%, respectively) and 27.6% and 5.8% (standardized rate were 22.8% and 4.5% respectively) in women. The overweight/obesity was more often in young and mid-aged married men with higher education and socioeconomic status and in middle-aged and older women with less education from wealthier households.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalences of overweight and obesity are relatively high in the rural areas of Hanzhong, and therefore effective interventions are warranted.