Excess weight among women in a low-income urban community: socioeconomic, demographic and reproductive factors

Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of excess weight and associated factors in women of reproductive age living in a low-income community. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 663 women 15 to 49 years of age residing in the neighborhood of Coelhos in the city of Recife, Brazil. Body mass index (BMI)-for-age was used to classify the nutritional status of the adolescents (15 to 19 years of age), adopting Z-score of ≥+1 for the definition of overweight. For the adults, BMI≥25.0 kg/m² was considered indicative of overweight. Socioeconomic, demographic and reproductive variables were analyzed as possible factors associated with overweight. The prevalence of excess weight was found in two thirds of the sample. The results of the Poisson multiple regression analysis showed a significantly higher prevalence of excess weight with the advance in age, among those with a younger menarche age, those who had three or more pregnancies, those living with their partner and those self-declared black or white. Multiparity was the only factor associated with excess weight that could be modified, which underscores the importance of prenatal and family planning services to its prevention and control.

摘要 本研究旨在调查巴西累西腓市科略斯低收入社区育龄女性的超重患病率及其相关影响因素。本研究采用横断面研究设计，纳入居住于巴西累西腓市科略斯街区的663名15至49岁女性作为研究样本。针对15至19岁的青少年群体，采用年龄别体质指数（Body Mass Index，BMI），以Z评分≥+1作为超重判定标准；成年群体则以BMI≥25.0 kg/m²作为超重判定依据。本研究分析了可能与超重相关的社会经济、人口学及生殖相关变量。样本中超重患病率达三分之二。泊松多元回归分析结果显示，随年龄增长、初潮（menarche）年龄偏小、妊娠次数≥3次、与伴侣共同居住以及自我声明为黑人或白人的群体，其超重患病率显著更高。多产次（multiparity）是唯一可干预的超重相关影响因素，这凸显了产前保健与计划生育服务在超重防控中的重要意义。