Socio-Demographic and Health Determinants of Overnutrition in Hungarian Women Aged 65 Years and Older

Zurashvili, Salome and Ghanem, Amr Sayed and Ulambayar, Battamir and Móré, Marianna and Nagy, Attila Csaba (2025) Socio-Demographic and Health Determinants of Overnutrition in Hungarian Women Aged 65 Years and Older. NUTRIENTS, 17 (24). No. 3836. ISSN 2072-6643

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Abstract

Background/Objectives: Overnutrition, defined as the excessive intake of energy and nutrients leading to increased body mass, is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality worldwide. In Hungary, dietary and lifestyle habits, combined with rapid population aging, make older adults particularly vulnerable to excess weight. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of overnutrition among Hungarian women aged 65 years and older, focusing on socio-demographic, lifestyle, and health-related factors. Methods: A repeated cross-sectional analysis was conducted using pooled data from the 2009, 2014, and 2019 Hungarian waves of the European Health Interview Survey (2385 women aged ≥65 years). Overnutrition was defined as Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2. Associations with explanatory variables were assessed using chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression, with adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: The prevalence of overnutrition was highest in 2014 (35.7%) and lowest in 2019 (30.9%). Significant predictors included marital status (OR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.63–0.94), tertiary education/primary (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.18–2.22), and income level (2nd /1st quintile: OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.51–0.88). Smoking, diabetes, arthrosis, and hypercholesterolemia were associated with lower odds. Poor self-perceived health (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.15–1.82) and mental illness (OR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.05–2.05) were independently associated with increased risk. Conclusions: The high prevalence of overnutrition in older Hungarian women highlights the importance of targeted public health strategies addressing social disparities and lifestyle behaviors.

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