Prevalence, Distributions and Determinants of Obesity and Central Obesity in the Southern Cone of America

Background Obesity is a major determinant of cardiovascular disease in South America. However, population- based data are limited. Methods A total of 7,524 women and men, aged 35 to 74 years old, were randomly selected from 4 cities in the Southern Cone of Latin America between February 2010 and December 2011. Obesity clinical measurements and cardiovascular risk factors were measured using standard methodology. Results The prevalence of obesity and central obesity were 35.7% and 52.9%, respectively. The prevalence of obesity and central obesity were higher in women, and even higher in women with lower education compared with women with higher education. In men and women obesity was associated with a higher prevalence of diabetes, odds ratio (OR) 2.38 (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.86 to 3.05) and 3.01 (95% CI 2.42 to 3.74) respectively, hypertension (OR 2.79 (95% CI 2.32 to 3.36) and 2.40 (95% CI 2.05 to 2.80) respectively, dyslipidemia (OR 1.83 (95% CI 1.50 to 2.24) and 1.69 (95% CI 1.45 to 1.98), respectively, low physical activity (OR 1.38(95% CI 1.14 to 1.68) and 1.38 (95% CI 1.18 to 1.62) respectively and a lower prevalence of smoking (OR, 0.65 (95% CI 0.53 to 0.80) and 0.58(95% CI 0.48 to 0.70) respectively. Conclusions Obesity and central obesity are highly prevalent in the general population in the Southern Cone of Latin America and are strongly associated with cardiovascular risk factor prevalence. These data suggest that efforts toward prevention, treatment, and control of obesity should be a public health priority in the Southern Cone of Latin America.