Abdominal obesity is one of the most serious threats to public health, acting as a key predictor of chronic non-communicable diseases. Waist circumference (WC) is recognized as a more accurate marker of abdominal obesity and cardiometabolic risk compared to body mass index.

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a comprehensive analysis of waist circumference in females and males over 18 years of age in the Russian Federation, and to develop measures against abdominal obesity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A secondary analysis of Rosstat data for 2024 on the sample observation of the population’s health status was conducted. The study included data from 95.887 respondents from all constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used for the analysis (Mann—Whitney, Kruskal—Wallis tests, correlation, and regression analyses).

RESULTS

The mean WC value was 92.97±14.7 cm in males and 86.72±16.3 cm in females. Abdominal obesity (WC >102 cm in males and >88 cm in females) was observed in 21.1% of males and 43.9% of females. Significant regional differences were identified. The highest mean WC value was reported in the Jewish Autonomous Region (101.9 cm for males, 100.2 cm for females), the lowest in the Sakhalin Region for males (83.6 cm) and the Chukotka Autonomous Region for females (76.3 cm). The increase in the WC value was statistically significantly associated with a low level of education (maximum in the group with secondary vocational education), marital status (married men and widows), retirement age, low income (for women), low self-assessment of health, high anxiety, loneliness, and low awareness of the principles of rational nutrition.

CONCLUSION

The data obtained indicate the need to develop comprehensive prevention measures, including educational programs on nutrition, psychological support, and targeted interventions for the most at-risk groups, especially for women and people with low socio-economic status.