Obesity and associated factors among adult Xavante Indians, Central Brazil

Tavares, Felipe

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is considered an important public health problem, mainly because of its association with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Among indigenous peoples in Brazil, obesity has been observed to result from dietary, physical activity, and environmental changes largely associated with the insertion of these populations in market economies.

METHODS: This paper reports the findings of an epidemiological survey of obesity among the Xavante people of Pimentel Barbosa Indigenous Reserve, Central Brazil. Data collection was done in June-August 2011 and contemplated the entire population living in the 10 villages then present in the reserve. Socioeconomic data were collected using a household questionnaire and anthropometric data following standard bioelectrical impedance methodology using a hand-held body fat analyzer.

RESULTS: Participating in this study were 489 (92.6% of target population) individuals of both sexes ≥ 15 years of age residing in eight villages. The mean BMI was 26.8 kg/cm² (SD: 3.8) and was similar between the sexes, with no statistically significant difference. More than half of the population was overweight (42.7%) or obese (20.4%).Standing out for men were statistically significant positive associations between BMI, on then one hand, and income and age, on the other .Also among men, percent body fat was positive associated with BMI, age, per capita income, per adult income, and education. On the other hand, BMI and percent body fat was negatively correlated with reported frequency of household consumption of wild (non-industrial and non-agricultural) foods. Among women, BMI showed a statistically significant positive association with a household good index used as a proxy for socioeconomic status. Women’s percent body fat only presented positive correlations with age and BMI.

CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the high obesity burden in the adult Xavante population, given that more than half of individuals ≥ 15 years present excess weight.