Overweight in elderly Mexican women of a marginal community
Gutiérrez, L.M.; Llaca, M.C.; Cervantes, L.; Velasquez Alva, M.C.; Irigoyen, M.E.; Zepeda, M.
Journal of Nutrition Health and Aging 5(4): 256-258
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 1279-7707 PMID: 11753489 Document Number: 530090
The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to estimate the prevalence of obesity in elderly women living in a marginal-urban community and compare their results with those of women in urban and rural areas in Mexico. Standardized nutritionists took anthropometric measurements. The recommended international techniques were used to measure weight and height. To estimate the proportion of overweight and obesity, the body mass index (BMI) was used following the WHO categories. 249 elderly women (mean age, 71.6+or-7.8 years) were examined. No difference in age was found in the 3 communities visited (P>0.05). The mean BMIs in urban, rural and marginal women were 26.7+or-4.6, 24.5+or-3.9 and 28.6+or-5.5 kg/m2, respectively (P<0.0001). The proportions of overweight and obesity were 60.7, 36.2 and 76.5% in the urban, rural and marginal women, respectively (P<0.001). The results of this study indicate the presence of a high prevalence of overweight and obesity in elderly women in urban areas and particularly in the marginal areas. Marginality seams to be a risk marker of obesity in elderly women in Mexico. Intervention programmes aimed to decrease the prevalence of obesity and improve nutritional condition in this group are urgent.