title: Alarming weight gain in women of a post-transitional country.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In post-transitional countries, obesity disproportionally affects women. Longitudinal studies can detect high-risk groups in whom to target actions. We investigated the magnitude and velocity of BMI changes in Chilean women of reproductive age and evaluated whether these trends vary in specific groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  Longitudinal study. We measured weight and height in 2007 (baseline) and again in 2010 (follow-up); we estimated change in BMI (weight/height2) within the 3-year period and assessed its relationship with age, years of education and parity, collected at baseline and follow-up using a questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  Population-based cohort of low- to middle-income Chilean women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven hundred and sixty-one women of reproductive age (mean 32·0 (sd 7·0) years), mothers of children who participate in the Growth and Obesity Cohort Study (GOCS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, 61 % of women had BMI ≥ 25·0 kg/m2. After 3 years, women gained on average 2·6 kg and obesity (BMI ≥ 30·0 kg/m2) increased by 23 % (12 % new obesity cases). Women with normal nutritional status gained more BMI than obese women (1·4 v. 0·6 kg/m2, P < 0·001). An increase in parity was positively associated with BMI change, independently of age, nutritional status and education (P < 0·05). Age and education were not associated with BMI change after controlling for other factors (P > 0·05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In Chile, a post-transitional country, we observed an alarming increase in obesity among women of reproductive age. Our results indicate that in this population actions need to be targeted at all women irrespective of their nutritional status. A key component of these policies should be avoiding excessive weight gain during pregnancy.
authors: 1 Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, Universidad de Chile, El Líbano 5524, Macul, Santiago, Chile.
authors: Maria L
authors: ML
authors: Garmendia
authors: 2 Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors: Faustino T
authors: FT
authors: Alonso
authors: 1 Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, Universidad de Chile, El Líbano 5524, Macul, Santiago, Chile.
authors: Juliana
authors: J
authors: Kain
authors: 1 Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, Universidad de Chile, El Líbano 5524, Macul, Santiago, Chile.
authors: Ricardo
authors: R
authors: Uauy
authors: 1 Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, Universidad de Chile, El Líbano 5524, Macul, Santiago, Chile.
authors: Camila
authors: C
authors: Corvalan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003906:Developing Countries; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019456:Health Transition; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009035:Mothers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D060728:Reproductive Health; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000502:physiology*; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
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