CONICET | Buscador de Institutos y Recursos Humanos

ABSTRACT The excess of weight represents an emerging problem in public health; its prevalence varies according to area of residence, socio-economic level, age and sex. The aim of this paper was to analyze the prevalence of overweight and obesity in urbans and rural childrens of the Department of San Rafael, Mendoza, in relation to socio-environmental conditions. A transverse anthropometrical study was performed in 1176 individuals from 6 to 12 years old. The following variables were measured: body weight, body height and subcutaneous tricipital and subscapular skinfolds. Overweight and obesity were determined using the cut off suggested by the International Obesity Task Force. The adipose distribution pattern was analyzed using Subscapular/Tricipital Index (STI). A STI value >1 indicated central adiposity. The socio-environmental analysis was carried out with a self-administered survey. Data was processed by the categorical principal component analysis (catACP). The catACP discriminated four groups based on their socio-environmental condition: Urban (High, Middle and Low Level) and Rural. Prevalence of overweight was 14,4% and of obesity 7,6%, with non signifi cant differences between sex. Population with overweight presented an STI <1, in both sexes. Men with obesity showed values of STI >1 from 9 years old and women at 9 and 12 years old. Overweight was homogeneously distributed through the four groups, while obesity was higher in the group with rural characteristics. The results show an increment of overweight with homogeneous distribution and independent of the social-economic condition. Obesity, instead, is concentrated manly in rural areas with rural characteristics. The results show an increment of overweight with homogeneous distribution and independent of the social-economic condition. Obesity, instead, is concentrated manly in rural areas. Rev Arg Antrop Biol 13(1):19-28, 2011.The excess of weight represents an emerging problem in public health; its prevalence varies according to area of residence, socio-economic level, age and sex. The aim of this paper was to analyze the prevalence of overweight and obesity in urbans and rural childrens of the Department of San Rafael, Mendoza, in relation to socio-environmental conditions. A transverse anthropometrical study was performed in 1176 individuals from 6 to 12 years old. The following variables were measured: body weight, body height and subcutaneous tricipital and subscapular skinfolds. Overweight and obesity were determined using the cut off suggested by the International Obesity Task Force. The adipose distribution pattern was analyzed using Subscapular/Tricipital Index (STI). A STI value >1 indicated central adiposity. The socio-environmental analysis was carried out with a self-administered survey. Data was processed by the categorical principal component analysis (catACP). The catACP discriminated four groups based on their socio-environmental condition: Urban (High, Middle and Low Level) and Rural. Prevalence of overweight was 14,4% and of obesity 7,6%, with non signifi cant differences between sex. Population with overweight presented an STI <1, in both sexes. Men with obesity showed values of STI >1 from 9 years old and women at 9 and 12 years old. Overweight was homogeneously distributed through the four groups, while obesity was higher in the group with rural characteristics. The results show an increment of overweight with homogeneous distribution and independent of the social-economic condition. Obesity, instead, is concentrated manly in rural areas with rural characteristics. The results show an increment of overweight with homogeneous distribution and independent of the social-economic condition. Obesity, instead, is concentrated manly in rural areas. Rev Arg Antrop Biol 13(1):19-28, 2011.