Seven-year incidence and progression of obesity. Characterization of body fat pattern evolution in low-income Mexico City urban population.
BACKGROUND
There are no prospective data regarding the natural history of obesity in Mexico. The objective of this research was to investigate the incidence and progression of obesity in a low-income sector of Mexico City and to characterize evolution of body fat pattern distribution.


METHODS
We carried out a population-based, prospective survey. Total on-site population was 15,532 persons; we determined as eligible all 35 to 64-year-old men and nonpregnant women for a total of 3,505. We interviewed at baseline 3,319 (94.7%) individuals and examined 2,282 (65.1%). At follow-up approximately 7 years later, we interviewed 1,764 (77.3%) subjects and examined 1,594 (69.9%). Measurements for all participants included height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist-hip circumference, and subscapular and triceps skinfold thickness. Overweight was defined as BMI > or = 25 and < or = 29.9 kg/m2, while grade 1 obesity was BMI >or = 30 and < or = 34.9 kg/m2, grade 2 was > or = 35 and < or = 39.9, and grade 3, > or = 40 kg/m2.


RESULTS
At baseline, prevalence of overweight was 48.6%, and grade 1 obesity, 22.7%, grade 2, 5.1%, and grade 3 obesity was 1.4%; at follow-up, these were 45.2, 25.8, 6.6, and 2.3%, respectively. At baseline, mean BMI in women was 29.1 +/- 0.16 kg/m2 and in men, 27.3 +/- 0.15 kg/m2; at follow-up, it reached 29.4 +/- 0.17 kg/m2 in women and 27.4 +/- 0.16 kg/m2 in men. Waist circumference increased from mean of 99.7 +/- 0.44 cm in women to 101.2 +/- 0.42 cm; in men, mean waist circumference rose from 95.2 +/- 0.38 to 96.7 +/- 0.39 cm.


CONCLUSIONS
The obesity epidemic in this population possesses serious proportions that increase risk for severe metabolic consequences. There is a need for intervention.
González-Villalpando
Clicerio
C
Centro de Estudios en Diabetes, Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Metabólicas, Hospital Bernardo Sepúlveda, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Mexico City, Mexico. cliceriogonzalez@hotmail.com
Rivera-Martínez
David
D
Cisneros-Castólo
Martín
M
González-Villalpando
Ma Elena
ME
Simón
Jesús
J
Williams
Ken
K
Haffner
Steven
S
Stern
Michael
M
D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition; D001824:Body Constitution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D011203:Poverty; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012923:Social Class; D013997:Time Factors