The relationship between body mass index and the prevalence of obesity‐related diseases based on the 1995 National Health Interview Survey in Korea

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Abstract
This study estimated the body mass index (BMI) distribution of Koreans and examined the relationship between BMI and obesity‐related diseases, in particular hypertension and diabetes mellitus. We also attempted to provide primary data to determine suitable BMI cut‐off points for obesity in Korea. The 1995 National Health Interview Study (NHIS) data were used to estimate BMI and the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus. A random sample of 5750 Koreans (15–69 years of age) were investigated. BMI was calculated by self‐reported weights and heights. The diagnoses of hypertension and diabetes mellitus were obtained from self‐reported conditions specified in response to consultations with physicians. The mean BMI was 22.6 ± 2.6 kg m−2 for males and 21.7 ± 4.8 kg m−2 for females. The prevalence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus increased with BMI. The odds ratios of the third quartile of BMI (21.9–23.8 kg m−2) for hypertension and diabetes mellitus compared with the first quartile were 6.04 and 3.22, respectively. The odds ratio of the fourth quartile (>23.8 kg m−2) of BMI was not significantly different from that of the third quartile. The risk of hypertension and diabetes mellitus increased at the third quartile of BMI (21.9–23.8 kg m−2), this quartile being much lower than both the current World Health Organization (WHO) BMI cut‐off point of overweight of 25.0 kg m−2, and the 90th percentile proposed in the Monica project, BMI 26.4 kg m−2. This finding was notable considering the fact that both hypertension and diabetes mellitus occur in Koreans with lower BMIs than whites. Further studies are necessary to identify the BMI cut‐off point for obesity in Korea.

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