Artigos Originais July 01, 2012 July 01, 2012

Abdominal obesity and associated factors among adolescents: comparison of two economically different Brazilian regions

DOI: 10.1590/S0004-27302012000500003

OBJECTIVE: To determine differences and similarities in the prevalence of abdominal obesity and its associated factors among adolescents of two economically different Brazilian regions. SUBJECTS AND 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. CONCLUSION: 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.