Overweight and abdominal in adult population of Teresina, PI *

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of overweight and abdominal fat in the adult population in the urban area of Teresina, PI, Brazil.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study with probability sampling by conglomerates. The study evaluated 464 adults, 20 to 59 years of age, living in the urban area of Teresina, PI, Brazil. Nutritional status was classified according to body mass index (BMI), and abdominal fat accumulation was estimated according to waist circumference. The significance level was set at 5% (p < 0.05).ResultsThe prevalence of overweight and obesity according to nutritional status, based on BMI, was 30.0% and 7.7%, respectively. An increase in the proportion of overweight and obesity among men with progressively higher family income was observed. Higher rates of obesity were found among individuals 50 to 59 years of age with stable relationships and nonsmokers. An association between individual or family income and presence of abdominal fat was not observed in the population.ConclusionThe prevalence of overweight in the study population follows the national trend. Proportions of overweight and obesity were higher among men and increased with age. Women and married individuals showed a greater tendency for abdominal obesity.