Overweight and obesity: Prevalence and their association with some social characteristics in a random sample population-based study in Cordoba city, Argentina

Background: Obesity has become a threat to public health, as the epidemic is not confined to developed countries but is affecting many developing countries. Because obesity is known to vary according to socio-cultural factors, including socioeconomic position and social roles, a multi-stage random sample population-based study was conducted in Cordoba, Argentina, from January 2005 to December 2006, to explore the effect of selected social factors on the prevalence of obesity. Methods: Information was obtained about demographic, anthropometric, lifestyle, dietary and physical activity characteristics. Logistic regression (LR) and proportional odds models (POM) were used in data analysis. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 52 and 17%, respectively. LR models revealed that overweight was positively associated with gender (men), decreasing socio-economic status (SES), married and divorced status and negatively with increasing levels of physical activity whereas obesity was positively associated with decreasing SES levels, married status and negatively associated with physical activity levels. POM revealed strong associations between variables and the outcomes and an effect modification among women aged 30 years or older with a tow SES. Conclusions: Our data indicate a high prevalence of overweight and obesity in this population; several social factors and lifestyle characteristics are associated with both overweight and obesity. However, a prospective cohort study would be needed to investigate causality. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Asian Oceanian Association for the Study of Obesity.