Abstract

Dutra MC, Uliano EJM, Machado DFGP, Martins T, Vinholes DB, Schuelter-Trevisol F and Trevisol DJ

To estimate obesity prevalence among elderly people using different measurement methods. A crosssectional population-based study was conducted to assess elderly people from September 2010 to May 2011. Obesity prevalence was assessed using different criteria for body mass index (BMI), as proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO), the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (NHANES III), and by Lipschitz. Central obesity was assessed by using the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist circumference (WC). Obesity prevalence varied in men and women according to the different criteria: 24.5% and 45.1% (WHO); 31.6% and 54.9% (Lipschitz); 44.5% and 68.4% (NHANES III), respectively. WC measurement showed that 26.8% of men and 70.3% of women suffered from central obesity. WHR showed that the prevalence of central obesity was 50.8% in women and 23.9% in men. Obesity criteria and central obesity were positively associated (p<0.001). The prevalence of obesity was high, especially among women.