Comportamiento epidemiológico de la obesidad y factores de riesgo asociados en la población rural de cumbe, Ecuador

Introduction: Obesity is one of the most important pandemics worldwide with important personal, family and governmental consequences. The epidemiological data of obesity in rural populations of Ecuador are limited, so the objective of this research was to estimate the prevalence and associated factors of obesity in individuals of the rural parish of Cumbe, Ecuador. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional, analytical field study included 371 individuals of both sexes over 18 years of age residing in the rural parish of Cumbe, who were applied a complete clinical history. Obesity was defined according to the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO) in normopeso, overweight and obesity. A multivariate logistic regression model was constructed for the estimation of Odds Ratios (95% CI) to determine associated factors with obesity. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 34.7% (n = 140) and 19% (n = 71). Women had a higher prevalence of obesity (21.8%) than men (13.5%). Associated factors with obesity were: be a woman (OR=3.61; 95%CI:1.38-9.47, p=0.009), the personal history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (OR=3.54; 95%CI:1.10-11.39; p=0,034), be a former smoker (OR=3.48, 95%CI:1.02-11.83, p=0.045), had low physical activity (OR=2.17; 95%CI:1.02.4.63; p=0.043), increased waist circumference (OR=3,23; IC95%:1,37-7,62; p=0.007) and personal history of hypertension (OR=5.44; IC95%:2.04-14.45; p=0.001). Conclusions: It was evidenced a low prevalence of obesity, similar to those reported in the country, but low in comparison with other latitudes. Being a female, former smoker, low physical activity, hypertensive, diabetic or with increased waist circumference were the associated factors with obesity, so they should be taken into account at the time of prevention and health promotion.