UK Biobank participants were, on average, taller and leaner and had a smaller waist circumference than the general population, based on the HSE 2008 (Table 3). For example, mean body mass index (defined as weight (kg)/height (m)2) in UK Biobank men and women aged 55–64 years was 27.9 and 27.3, respectively, as compared with 28.5 and 28.0 in the general population, based on data from the HSE 2008. UK Biobank men and women were also less likely to be obese (defined as body mass index ≥30) across all age groups examined in comparison with the general population. For example, for men aged 45–54 years, the prevalence of obesity was 25.6% in UK Biobank and 31.5% in the general population, with corresponding values of 23.0% and 32.2%, respectively, for women (Web Table 3). Table 3.Comparison of Mean Levels of Anthropometric Measures, by Age and Sex, for UK Biobank Participants (Recruited in 2006–2010) With Data From the Health Survey for England 2008a,bSex and Anthropometric MeasurecAge 45–54 YearsAge 55–64 YearsUK BiobankHSEUK BiobankHSENo. of PersonsMean (SD)No. of PersonsMeandNo. of PersonsMean (SD)No. of PersonsMeandMen BMIe61,86027.8
