Abstract

RIGAUD, Dairene et al. Prevalence of obesity in engineering students from Barquisimeto, Lara state. Comunidad y Salud [online]. 2011, vol.9, n.2, pp.1-8. ISSN 1690-3293.

This research had, as objectives, to compare the obesity prevalence according to the Corporal Mass Index (CMI), Waist Circumference (WC) and Waist-Height Index (WHI) and to determine the risk factors for central obesity by WHI method. To determine antecedents of inherited obesity, dietetic habits and sedentariness, a questionnaire was applied. The estimated sample was based on a prevalence of central obesity of 17%, a level of 95% certainty and an error of 3.6% for female and 4.6% for male ones. Anthropometric measures CMI, WC and WHI were taken. Results from 702 women and 596 men aged 18 and 24 years, 259 women and 180 men were studied. 5.3% of obese subjects according to CMI, 10% central obesity according to WC and 41% according to WHI were found. A 37.8% of women and 45.6% of men displayed central obesity according to WHI. In subjects with an obesity family background, 50.5% displayed central obesity, unlike the subjects without family obesity (37.8%), (Reason of prevalence (RP) = 1,33; CI95% = 1,06-1,68). 47.8% of sedentary subjects displayed central obesity regarding to 35.3% of subjects without sedentariness (RP = 1,35; CI95% = 1,08-1,69). 39% of the young people with inadequate dietetic habits displayed central obesity, whereas 43% without these habits were obese (RP = 0,90; CI95% = 0,72-1,13). Conclusions. It was found that a greater prevalence of central obesity with the WHI and the risk factors were antecedents of family obesity and sedentariness. The WHI can be a tool more perceptible than the WC for diagnosing central obesity in this studied young people.

Keywords : Prevalence; central Obesity; Waist-Height Index; risk factor.

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