Prevalence of obesity in Morocco.

Data on measured heights and weights indicate that the prevalence of obesity has increased among Moroccan population over the past 15 years. In 1984/1985, 4.1% of the adult population was obese, and the prevalence increased to 10.3% in 1998/1999. In the most recent survey in the year 2000, 13.3% of individuals aged 20 years and more were obese (22% among women and 8% among men). Excessive weight is more prevalent in urban than in rural areas, varies by geographical residence, positively associated with age and negatively with education level. The increasing prevalence of obesity poses challenges for researchers and policy makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]