Association between Central Obesity and the Socio-Economic Profile in Women

Abstract

Objective: Systemize information on the association between central obesity and the socioeconomic profile in women. Methods: The articles were selected from a bibliographic survey of the last 05 years, in the English, Portuguese and Spanish languages, on the electronic data bases PubMed, Medline, SciElo CAPES Journals, using the following descriptors: Abdominal obesity, Women, Poverty, Ingestion of food, Eating Behavior; with the corresponding terms in English, according to Mesh. Out of the 539 articles initially selected, 12 journals were maintained once they aggregate relevant information for the proposed theme, and present objective methodology. Results: Of the articles included in the review, a relationship was observed between the socioeconomic profile and increase in the prevalence of Central Obesity, mainly in underdeveloped countries, considering the quality of life of the population and the dietary transition. Conclusion: The studies are convergent in that they state that socioeconomic factors, such as race, status and schooling are directly associated to the increasing prevalence of CO in women. Nevertheless, few studies were found on this specific matter and further analyses should be performed in order to aggregate new knowledge.