Associação entre baixa estatura e sobrepeso em mulheres brasileiras

Abstract

The association between nutritional deficit in recent periods of life with chronic diseases and excess weight has been investigated mainly in developed countries. In Brazil, the association has proved significant only in females. Conducting a study of the female population of reproductive age would help to explain the gender differences observed in the high prevalence of overweight among women in the country. To evaluate the association between short stature, obesity and excessive weight gain. This study was based on the National Demographic and Health Survey (DHS-96). It is a nationally representative cross-sectional study. All analyzes were performed by grouping the regions in Rural; North and Northeast; South; Southeast and Midwest. The eligible population for this analysis was 2,292 mothers aged between 20 and 45 years. The exclusion criteria were: pregnant women at the time of the survey; with the last preceding six months or less from the press delivery; not heavy and no action. The results showed an association between short stature and prior to first pregnancy overweight and indicate that short stature may be associated with excessive weight gain during the reproductive period. However, the differences observed for the South-Central region, consider the possibility of short stature be a marker of different socio-economic contexts associated with the evolution of nutritional problems in the country.