Anthropometry in Tarahumara Indian women of reproductive age in northern Mexico: Is overweight becoming a problem?

Recent studies point to an increasing prevalence of obesity and its consequ ences among American Indians. This study was conducted to assess whether ov erweight may constitute a problem among adolescent and adult women in one o f the most isolated ethnic groups in North America. A population-based samp le of 459 Tarahumara women was taken from Guachochi Municipality in norther n Mexico. A BMI greater than or equal to 30 kg/m(2) was found in 16.9% of w omen aged 25-49 years old. A BMI-for-age greater than or equal to 85th perc entile was found in 14.3% and 16.8% of women aged 12-17 and 18-24 years res pectively. Very few women had a BMI < 18.5 while a normal BMI (18.5-24.9) w as present in 50.3% of women living in communities with < 100 inhabitants b ut only 35.5% of those living in localities with greater than or equal to 1 00 inhabitants. Literacy and bilingualism were positively associated with o verweight. Overweight does appear to be a problem of increasing public heal th significance, particularly where "Mestizo" influence is likely to growin g. Systematic efforts to prevent obesity are needed.