PREVALENCE AND RISK-FACTORS OF OBESITY IN ADULTS

Introduction A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Pelotas, Southern Brazil, with the objective of determining the preva lence of obesity and identify associated, variables as this condition increased markedly in the country between 1974 and 1989. Material and Methods One thousand and thirty-five adults between 20 and 69 years of age were studied Obesity was defined as a Body Mass Index - BMI -equa l to or over 30 Kg/square meter). The multivariate analyses rook into account the hierarchical model of the variables associated with obesit y for both men and women. Results The prevalence for the overall popul ation was of 21% (CI 18 - 23). It was higher among women - 25% (CI 22 - 29) than for men - 15% (CI 12 - 18). Socioeconomic status was positi vely associated with obesity among men, whereas the opposite situation was reported for women, with those belonging to the poorest social st rata presenting increased BMI. Reported obesity in their parents was a ssociated with increased BMI in the subjects, and this association rem ained statistically significant even after compensating for the effect of possible confounding variables. Self-reported diabetes and arteria l hypertension doubled the risk of obesity, whereas non-smoking was as sociated with obesity only among women. Variables which were not assoc iated with obesity after adjusting for confounders were alcohol consum ption, marital status and parity. Women having more daily meals were l ess prone to obesity, even after controlling for confounders, and this association was not quite significant for men (p = 0.07). Conclusions The prevalence of obesity was higher among women, and important diffe rences in risk factors were noticed when the population was considered by sex.