J Korean Med Sci.  2011 Jan;26(1):78-84. 10.3346/jkms.2011.26.1.78.

Epidemiology of Abdominal Obesity among Adolescents from a Brazilian State Capital

• Silva DA
• Pelegrini
• Silva JM
• Petroski E

• KMID: 1777980
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2011.26.1.78

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of socioeconomic, demographic and lifestyle factors on abdominal obesity in adolescents from a Brazilian state capital. In this cross-sectional study, 656 high school students (423 girls and 233 boys) from public schools, ranging in age from 14 to 19 yr, were evaluated. Abdominal obesity was identified based on waist circumference. Socioeconomic data (socioeconomic status, household head's education, and school grade), demographic data (gender and age), and information regarding lifestyle (physical activity, eating habits, aerobic fitness, and nutritional status) were collected. Logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis. The prevalence of abdominal obesity was 6.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.6-8.4). Being in the second (odds ratio [OR] = 0.41; 95% CI: 0.19-0.88) or third year (OR = 0.18; 95% CI: 0.06-0.59) of high school was a protective factor against abdominal obesity. In addition, students presenting low aerobic fitness (OR = 4.10; 95% CI: 1.62-10.4) and those with excess weight (OR = 208.6; 95% CI: 47.7-911.7) had a higher probability of abdominal obesity. In conclusion, demographic factors such as school grade, lifestyle habits, low aerobic fitness and excess weight are associated with central obesity.

Keyword

Abdominal Adiposity; Waist Circumference; Risk Factors; Adolescent; Brazil; Cross-Sectional Studies

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Age Factors
Brazil/epidemiology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Exercise
Female
Humans
Life Style
Logistic Models
Male
Obesity, Abdominal/*epidemiology
Odds Ratio
Risk Factors
Sex Factors
Socioeconomic Factors
Waist Circumference
Young Adult

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Hierarchical model used for the analysis of abdominal obesity in adolescents from Florianópolis, Brazil.

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