[Prevalence of obesity and potential causal factors among adults in southern Brazil].
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of obesity and potential causal factors among adults living in the urban area of Lages, Southern Brazil.


METHODS
Population based cross-sectional study with a sample of 2,022 adults from 20 to 59 years-old. Obesity was assessed by the body mass index (BMI > or = 30 kg/m(2)). Exploratory variable were collected at adults households using questionnaire and included age, schooling, per capita familial income, parity, obesity familial episodes, and level of physical activity. Simple and multiple Poisson regression analyses were performed.


RESULTS
The prevalence of obesity was 23.5 (95% CI 21.6-25.3). The prevalence of obesity was higher in women (26.1%) than in men (19.3). In the final model, adjusted for confounders, were associated with obesity among women: older ages, low schooling and familial episodes of obesity; for men were associated with obesity: older ages and those with insufficient physical activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Factors associated with obesity differ between men and women. The prevalence of obesity was higher in women and it was associated with low income and elderly.
Vedana
Ediolane Hilbert Brati
EH
Programa de Pós-graduação em Saúde Coletiva, Universidade do Planalto Catarinense, Lages, SC, Brasil.
Peres
Marco Aurelio
MA
Neves
Janaina das
Jd
Rocha
Gino Chaves da
GC
Longo
Giana Zabarto
GZ
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult