Fatores ambientais e individuais associados à obesidade

Abstract

Obesity is a serious public health problem and has a great impact on the disease patterns of populations. The characteristics of the environment in which people live play an important role in obesity in many countries, since they can provide opportunities or barriers to the adoption of healthy habits. Objective: To estimate the association between environmental factors and individual factors with obesity and overweight in adults. Methods: This cross-sectional epidemiological study, developed using the Protective and Risk Factors for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey database (Vigitel 2008-2010) from Belo Horizonte and representative sample of individuals who were 18 years or older, residing in the city of Montes Claros. Obesity was defined as a BMI 30 kg/m2 and excess of weight was defined as a BMI 25 kg/m2. To characterize the built and social environments, we developed a georeferenced database with environmental data. The data analysis included multilevel logistic regression and the spatial scan statistic. In order to evaluate the perceived environment, we used a validated Portuguese version of the Neighbourhood Environment Walkability Scale. Poisson regression was performed to assess relationships between perceived environment and excess of weight. Results: The increase in the number of establishments that sell healthy food (OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.80 to 0.96), number of restaurants (OR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0,96- 0.99), number of places for physical activity (OR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.84-0.95) and total income (OR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.94-0,98) is associated with lower odds of obesity, in addition, these associations remained significant after adjustment for age, gender, education and food consumption. Furthermore, the perception of mixed land-use and immediate neighborhood were associated with overweight in Montes Claros. Conclusions: These findings contribute to a better understanding of the complex relationship between environmental and individual determinants of obesity, which can play an important role in the development of effective interventions and expand obesity control programs in large and medium cities, such as Belo Horizonte and Montes Claros.