OBESITY AMONG 12-49 YEAR-OLD WOMEN AND CH ILDREN AGED UNDER 5 IN MEXICO

Objective. To estimate the association between some sociodemographic c haracteristics and the risk of obesity among 12-49 year-old women and children aged under five. Material and methods. We analyzed data from Mexico's 1988 National Nutrition Survey, including information on 15 8 11 women of child-bearing age and 6 987 children aged under five years . We estimated the obesity prevalence rate ratios and confidence inter vals for all the variables of interest. Results. Preschool children li ving in the north and central regions of Mexico presented higher obesi ty prevalence rates than those living in the southeast (PR= 1.90, 95% CI 1.41-2.59 and PR= 1.91, 95% CI 1.41-2.59, respectively). The risk o f obesity was positively associated to the educational level of the he ad of the household. The prevalence of obesity was greater among child -bearing age women living in the northern region of Mexico and in Mexi co City (PR= 1.21, 95% CI 1.10-1.34 and PR= 1.16, 95% CI 1.05-1.28). T he prevalence of obesity was also positively associated with the numbe r of live births and negatively associated with the woman's educationa l level. Conclusions. It is necessary to implement obesity prevention programs among high risk groups.