Obesity prevalence in adults, Utila, Islas de La Bahia, Honduras

Abstract

Obesity is a world epidemic that represents a global public health problem whose numbers are on the rise. It is a disease in itself and is determinant of chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCD). Due to the lack of information in the country, we studied the prevalence of this condition in the town of Utila, state of the Bay Islands. People and methods: with a random sample of 111 people who signed previously an informed consent, a survey that collected age, ethnicity, sex, weight, height, physical activity patterns, history of obesity in the first degree of consanguinity, pattern intake of fruits and vegetables and associated comorbidities was applied. We calculated the body mass index (BMI) and classified it according to international standards. Results: We found a prevalence of overweight and obesity of 76.58% (n:85). Both, male and female showed a prevalence of 40.91%(n:25) and 37.52% (n:18) respectively. The most affected ethnic group corresponds to the local islanders. Conclusion: Obesity in Utila is a real situation that similarly affects both sexes and dominates mostly adults between 40-49 years. Clearly there are contributing factors to its etiology like a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet.