Long-Term Trends and Regional Heterogeneity in Overweight and Obesity Among Adults - 11 Intermittent Surveys in China, 1991-2024.

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC?: Overweight and obesity have increased in China. Evidence integrating long-term trends, regional heterogeneity, and multilevel factors remains limited.

WHAT IS ADDED BY THIS REPORT?: From 1991 to 2024, age-standardized combined prevalence of overweight and obesity rose from 20.20% (1,567/8,445) to 53.10% (7,286/13,112) and obesity from 3.70% (259/8,445) to 18.10% (2,303/13,112). Men, adults aged 40-79 years, and those with lower education showed outcome-specific higher odds.

WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE?: Regionally tailored population-wide prevention, weight management for higher-burden adults, healthier diets and community food environments, and attention to air quality as a contextual factor are suggested.