Excess weight and obesity prevalence in the RPS Brazilian Birth Cohort Consortium (Ribeirão Preto, Pelotas and São Luís)

Abstract

Our objective was to estimate the prevalence of excess weight and obesity, according to sex and income in the RPS Brazilian Birth Cohort Consortium (Ribeirão Preto, Pelotas, and São Luís). Participants in the Ribeirão Preto (1978/1979 and 1994), Pelotas (1982, 1993 and 2004) and São Luís (1997/1998) birth cohorts were included in different follow-ups from 7 years old onwards. Excess weight (overweight and obesity) were assessed by body mass index. The highest prevalences were observed in Ribeirão Preto (excess weight: 27.7% at 9-11 and 47.1% at 22-23 years; obesity: 8.6% at 9-11 and 19.8% at 22-23 years) while the smallest was in São Luís (excess weight: 5.4 to 7-9 and 17.2% at 18-19 years; obesity: 1.8% at 7-9 and 3.6% at 18-19 years). The younger the cohort, the greater the prevalence of excess weight and obesity when comparing similar age groups. Increases in obesity prevalence were greater than in excess weight prevalence. Women had lower excess weight prevalence in older cohorts and higher obesity prevalence in younger cohorts. Higher excess weight and obesity prevalence were observed in higher income children and adolescents, and in poorer adults. Differences in the prevalence of excess weight and obesity evidenced that individuals from younger cohorts are more exposed to this morbidity, as well as those who were born in the most developed city, low-income adults as well as children and adolescents belonging to families of the highest income tertile. Therefore, the results of this study indicate the need to prioritize actions aimed at younger individuals.