Social class, family, and life-style factors associated with overweight and obesity among adults in Peruvian cities

Background Overweight and obesity have reached epidemic proportions in Latin America. Objective The purpose of this study was to explore social and behavioral factors associated with obesity in Peruvian cities. Design Between 1998 and 2000 health examination surveys were conducted among adults in 1176 families identified in six cities. Stratified by social class, multistaged random sampling was used. Using body mass index (weight (kg)/height (m)2), men and women were classified into normal weight (BMI <25), overweight (BMI 25–29), or obese (BMI ≥30); abdominal circumference (≥94 cm in men and ≥84 cm in women) further identified morbidity risk. Several demographic, social, and behavioral variables were collected following standardized procedures. Results Adjusting for age, 37% of women were categorized as normal weight, 40% overweight, and 23% obese; corresponding figures for men were 40, 44, and 16%. More developed cities, e.g., Lima, Arequipa, and Ica, had the largest prevalence of overweight and obesity for both men and women. Adjusted logistic models showed that BMI ≥25 was positively correlated with age; whereas, education was negatively associated, only among women. Other significant associated factors of overweight included city of residence, television viewing ≥4 h daily in women, and underestimation of body weight status. Conclusions The study showed elevated rates of overweight across the income level spectrum. Factors such as urban development stage, income, education, and gender posed differential relationships with the risk of overweight and must be considered in designing future public health interventions. Underestimation of body weight status and sedentary behavior may also constitute specific areas of intervention.