A health survey has found that over 20% of Hong Kong people aged 15 or older are obese.

The Population Health Survey, which covered more than 7,000, was commissioned by the Department of Health in 2003-04. It found that 22.3% of men and 20% of women were obese, and 20.1% and 15.9% were, respectively, overweight.

People are considered overweight if their Body Mass Index is 23 or above, and obese if it is 25 or more.

The findings are contained in a report compiled by the department's Central Health & Education Unit called Tackling Obesity: Its Causes, the Plight & Preventive Actions. The report can facilitate planning and development of strategies for tackling obesity by adopting a healthy lifestyle.

For details of the report visit the unit's website or the Centre for Health Protection's website.