Temporal trends in obesity and status of dyslipidemia in Turkey: a meta-analysis of epidemiological studies

Abstract

Aim: Global burden of cardiovascular risk factors shows a decrease in the latest 10 years in European countries and Northern America. Atherogenic dyslipidemia and obesity are the two main risk factors contributing to cardiovascular diseases in Turkey, but their latest status temporal trends are unknown. The aim of this study is to assess temporal changes in dyslipidemia and obesity in the last two decades. Methods: Epidemiological studies on lipid levels and body composition of adult Turkish population conducted between years 2002-2017 were searched in the Ovid Medline, and Web of Science Core Collection. Web documents of Ministry of Health and Turkish Statistical Institute were also searched. Random-effects model and meta-regression were performed to assess the changes in the prevalence of dyslipidemia and obesity during this time period. Results: Crude prevalence of obesity (BMI ?30 kg/m2) in the low risk of bias studies (8 studies, n=73,906) was 28.5% (95% CI 24.2-33.2) in the whole group, 33.2% (95% CI 28.8-37.7) in women and 18.2% (95% CI 16.2-20.2) in men; and did not change during a 11-year time (p ?0.75). Crude prevalence of abdominal obesity (5 studies, n= 62,331) was 39.6% (95% CI 30.3-49.3) in the whole group, 50.8% (95% CI 46.5-55.0) in women, and 20.8% (95% CI 16.9-24.9) in men. Although overall prevalence did not change, crude prevalence seemed to increase in men (p=0.004), but not in women (p=0.84) (Figure). Crude prevalence of hyperlipidemia (LDL-C ?130 mg/dl in 3 studies, n=28216) was 29.1 % (95% of CI 23.6-35.0%) in the whole group, 30.2% (95% CI 24.7-36.1) in women, and 27.8 (95% CI 22.3-27.8) in men. As there were only 3 studies, time-dependent change could not be assessed. Conclusion: The crude prevalence of abdominal obesity is high and stable in women; however, it seems to increase in men over time. Intervention at both public and individual level should be undertaken to decrease their rate effectively.