Trends of Overweight and Obesity in Male Adolescents: Prevalence, Socioeconomic Status, and Impact on Cardiovascular Risk in a Central European Country

Background Obesity is one of the most important health-related problems of the twenty-first century. Data on its prevalence in Austria remain scarce. Aim of this study was to determine current trends of overweight and obesity, associated comorbidities and socioeconomic status in all 18-year-old male Austrian citizens, and its potential impact on the demand for bariatric surgery in the future. Methods Data from compulsory military conscription examinations in all 18-year-old males from 2003 to 2018 were obtained from the Federal ministry of Defense's database. Measurements of height, weight, and subsequent body mass index (BMI) calculations in 874, 220 adolescents were subdivided into yearly cohorts. Comorbidities, educational status, and nicotine abuse were evaluated. Results Mean BMI increased from 22.0 +/- 3.95 kg/m(2) in 2003 to 22.8 +/- 4.69 kg/m(2) in 2018 (p < 0.001). Overweight and obesity degrees I-III increased from 15.3%, 4.2%, 1.2%, and 0.4% (2003) to 20.4%, 7.1%, 2.5%, and 0.8% (2018), respectively. Cardiovascular risk, reflected by the waist-to-height ratio, increased significantly over time (p < 0.0001). Additionally, data showed a significant association of nicotine abuse in overweight or obese adolescents (p < 0.0001). Significantly less adolescents with obesity graduated from high school (p < 0.0001). Overall, 25.7% of adolescents with obesity were considered ineligible for military service. Conclusions BMI and cardiovascular risk steadily increased over the last 15 years in Austrian male adolescents. A significant shift from normal weight to overweight was observed, while higher obesity classes doubled over this observational period. This study also revealed a significant association of BMI and lower educational status.