title: Obesity patterns among women in a slum area in Brazil.
abstract: High-energy diet and sedentary lifestyle fail to completely explain the epidemic of obesity in developing countries. In this cross-sectional survey, the prevalence and patterns of overweight/obesity were assessed among women in a slum in Brazil. Using anthropometric measurements, shorter form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and a 24-hour diet recall questionnaire, data were collected from 632 women aged 20-60 years. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 29% and 17% respectively. Physical inactivity was found in 17% of the women; 12% of them had short stature, and 44% had energy intake below the recommended dietary allowance. Results of multiple logistic regression showed that overweight/obesity differed significantly (p < 0.05) in the following aspects: abdominal circumference, energy intake, and short stature. A high prevalence of overweight/obesity was found in a very poor community associated with high-energy intake and short stature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira, Rua dos Coelhos, 300-Boa Vista, Recife (PE), Brazil. joaoguilherme@imip.org.br
authors.forename: Joao G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.forename: Romero W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Falcão
authors.forename: Renato A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Jailson B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Correia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001827:Body Height; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011203:Poverty; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult