Prevalence of obesity and associated conditions in a center for family medicine
Román Díaz, M.
Boletin de la Asociacion Medica de Puerto Rico 84(11): 302-304
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0004-4849 PMID: 1449569 Document Number: 700619
Obesity is the most prevalent nutritional problem in North America and is associated with multiple chronic diseases. A sample, stratified by age and sex (N = 193), was taken from all the patients that visited Dr. Pila Hospital's Family Practice Center during a two month period. From the medical records, data was obtained about age, sex, body mass index, and the presence of diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia or hyperlipidemia. The mean age was 44.8 years. The prevalence rates for obesity, hyperlipidemia, arterial hypertension, and diabetes were 53.4%, 69.5%, 26.0% and 17.2% respectively. The prevalence rates for hypertension and diabetes were twice in obese subjects than in non obese subjects. No statistical association was found between obesity and hyperlipidemia. Although this sample is not representative of the general population, this study sheds light on the impact of obesity and associated conditions among users of health services.