[Abdominal obesity and associated factors among adolescents: comparison of two economically different Brazilian regions].
OBJECTIVE
To determine differences and similarities in the prevalence of abdominal obesity and its associated factors among adolescents of two economically different Brazilian regions.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,065 students aged 14 to 17 years, including 601 from the Center West of Santa Catarina, and 464 from the North Minas Gerais. Abdominal obesity was determined by means of the waist circumference measurement. Independent variables included sociodemographic data, body adiposity, and behavior related to physical activity.


RESULTS
The prevalence of abdominal obesity was higher in the Center West of Santa Catarina (6.3%; 95%CI: 4.4-8.3) than in the North of Minas Gerais (2.1%; 95%CI: 0.8-3.5). Being a male and excess body adiposity were factors associated with abdominal obesity in the two regions.


CONCLUSIONS
There are differences in the prevalence of abdominal obesity among adolescents from two economically distinct regions of Brazil. However, the factors associated with obesity were similar in the two regions.
Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação Física, Núcleo de Pesquisa em Cineantropometria e Desempenho Humano, Florianópolis, SC, Brasil. diegoaugustoss@yahoo.com.br
Diego Augusto Santos
DA
Silva
Andreia
A
Pelegrini
Adelson Fernandes da
AF
Silva
Leoberto Ricardo
LR
Grigollo
Edio Luiz
EL
Petroski
D050154:Adiposity / Q000502:physiology; D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D056128:Obesity, Abdominal / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055105:Waist Circumference / Q000502:physiology