Obesidade geral e abdominal entre idosos de Pelotas, RS: estudo de base populacional.

Abstract

Cross-sectional population-based study aimed to measure the prevalence and to identify associated factors with occurrence of general and abdominal obesity among elderly living in the urban area of Pelotas, Southern Brazil. The general obesity was defined by Body Mass Index (BMI) from measurements of weight and height estimated by knee height. It was considered obese when BMI ≥30 kg/m². Abdominal obesity was evaluated by waist circumference, being considered obese when >102 cm for men and >88 cm for women. The obesity prevalence was 29.9% (CI95%: 27.5-32.4) and abdominal obesity, 50.4% (CI95%: 47.8-53.1). After adjustment, the prevalence of both outcomes were higher in: women, nonsmokers, active leisure insufficiently, hypertension and diabetes. Age was inversely associated with general obesity, but not abdominal. Reducing obesity in this population depends on the health policy planning covering the encouragement of physical activity, considering the limitations and health conditions of the elderly.