[Anemia and obesity: a paradox of the nutritional transition in Brazil].
The aim of this study was to analyze the growing prevalence of anemia and overweight/obesity as contrasting trends in Brazil's nutritional transition. Twenty-eight studies published on anemia in children and childbearing-age women were selected, based on statistical representativeness, standardization of laboratory methods, and World Health Organization criteria. Overweight/obesity in adults was assessed by body mass index: 25 to 29.9 kg/m(2) (overweight) and > or =30 kg/m(2) (obesity). Three surveys were compared for analysis of tendencies: 1974/1975 (36.4%), 1989 (53.5%), and 2002/2003 (51.9%) for overweight/obesity prevalence. In the most representative study on anemia among children (< 11 g/dL), the prevalence increased from 22.0% (1974) to 46.9% (1995/1996). For pregnant woman (< 11 g/dL), results ranged from 14.7 to 40.4%. Prevalence of anemia among children and overweight/obesity among adults showed similar tendencies over time. Recent evidence of reduction in anemia can be attributed to flour supplementation with iron and folic acid. Anemia and overweight/obesity are associated with significant changes in food intake as a substratum of the nutritional transition.
Batista Filho
Malaquias
M
Instituto Materno Infantil Professor Fernando Figueira, Recife, Brasil.
Souza
Ariani Impieri de
AI
Miglioli
Teresa Cristina
TC
Santos
Marcela Carvalho dos
MC
D000328:Adult; D000740:Anemia / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012922:Social Change; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors