Objective  To examine the prevalence and influencing factors of overweight, obesity and central obesity among the elderly in Hubei province and to provide references for implementing corresponding intervention measures.

  Methods  From the dataset of National Physique Monitoring carried out in 2014, we extracted the data on demographics, physique and physical exercise of 5 866 residents aged 60 – 89 years in 17 prefectures or districts of Hubei province; then we analyzed the prevalence and influence factors of overweight, obesity and central obesity among the residents with SPSS 21 statistical software.

  Results  Of all the residents, 2259 (38.5%), 613 (10.5%), and 3618 (61.7%) were identified with overweight, obesity, and central obesity, respectively. The results of unconditional multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that among the residents, female gender and living in cities and towns were risk factors for overweight, obesity and central obesity; regular physical exercise was a protective factor against overweight; with a junior high school education and higher was a protective factor against obesity; and with a junior high school education and higher, engaged in occupation related physical activity, and regular physical exercise were protective factors against central obesity.

  Conclusion   Overweight, obesity, and central obesity are prevalent and mainly influenced by gender, education, occupation, residential area, and physical exercise among elder residents aged 60 – 69 years in Hubei province.