Evolution of overweight and obesity into adulthood, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, 1982-2012

This study assessed the prevalence of overweight and obesity in adolescence and adulthood among subjects enrolled in the 1982 Pelotas Birth Cohort, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, according to social and demographic characteristics. In 1982, hospital births in Pelotas were identified and all live born infants (n = 5,914) were examined and have been followed since. The data were collected at 15, 18, 23, and 30 years of age. In women, prevalence of overweight increased from 23.6% at 15 years to 52.4% at 30 years of age, while obesity increased from 6.6% to 23.8%. In men, overweight increased from 22.9% to 62.9%, and obesity from 7.5% to 22.1%. Overweight and obesity increased more among individuals of both sexes with lower socioeconomic status, which can lead to more inequality in the occurrence of chronic diseases.