Objective. To describe the prevalence of noncommunicable disease (NCD) risk factors(overweight/obesity, tobacco smoking, and alcohol consumption) and identify correlationsbetween these and sociodemographic characteristics in western and central Nicaragua.Methods. This was a cross-sectional study of 1 355 participants from six communitiesin Nicaragua conducted in September 2007 July 2009. Demographic and NCD risk-relatedhealth behavior information was collected from each individual, and their body mass index(BMI), blood pressure, diabetes status, and renal function were assessed. Data were analyzedusing descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and (non-stratified and stratified) logisticregression models.Results. Of the 1 355 study participants, 22.0% were obese and 55.1% were overweight/obese. Female sex, higher income, and increasing age were significantly associated with obesity.Among men, lifelong urban living correlated with obesity (Odds Ratio [OR] = 4.39,1.18 16.31). Of the total participants, 31.3% reported ever smoking tobacco and 47.7%reported ever drinking alcohol. Both tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption were strikinglymore common among men (OR = 13.0, 8.8 19.3 and 15.6, 10.7 22.6, respectively) andlifelong urban residents (OR = 2.42, 1.31 4.47 and 4.10, 2.33 7.21, respectively).Conclusions. There was a high prevalence of obesity/overweight across all income levels.Women were much more likely to be obese, but men had higher rates of tobacco and alcoholuse. The rising prevalence of NCD risk factors among even the poorest subjects suggests thatan epidemiologic transition in underway in western and central Nicaragua whereby NCDprevalence is shifting to all segments of society. Raising awareness that health clinics can beused for chronic conditions needs to be priority.(AU)Objetivo. Describir la prevalencia de los factores de riesgo (sobrepeso/obesidad,tabaquismo y consumo de alcohol) de las enfermedades no transmisibles (ENT), ydeterminar las correlaciones entre estos y las características sociodemográficas en laszonas occidental y central de Nicaragua.Métodos. De septiembre del 2007 a julio del 2009, se llevó a cabo este estudio transversalen 1 355 participantes de seis comunidades de Nicaragua. Para cada persona,se recopiló información demográfica y sobre la conducta en materia de salud relacionadacon el riesgo de ENT, y se evaluaron el índice de masa corporal (IMC), la presiónarterial, la presencia o no de diabetes y la función renal. Se analizaron los datosmediante estadísticas descriptivas, análisis de dos variables, y modelos de regresiónlogística (análisis no estratificado y estratificado).Resultados. De los 1 355 participantes en el estudio, 22,0% eran obesos y 55,1%presentaban sobrepeso u obesidad. El sexo femenino, los ingresos más altos y la edadmás avanzada se asociaron significativamente con la obesidad. En los varones, laresidencia de por vida en un entorno urbano se correlacionó con la obesidad (razónde posibilidades [OR] = 4,39, 1,18 16,31). Del total de participantes, 31,3% habíanfumado tabaco y 47,7% habían consumido alcohol alguna vez. Tanto el tabaquismocomo el consumo de alcohol fueron considerablemente más frecuentes en los varones(OR = 13,0, 8,8 19,3 y 15,6, 10,7 22,6, respectivamente) y en los que residían de porvida en un entorno urbano (OR = 2,42, 1,31 4,47 y 4,10, 2,33 7,21, respectivamente).Conclusiones. Se observó una alta prevalencia de obesidad/sobrepeso en todos losniveles de ingresos. Las mujeres tenían muchas más probabilidades de ser obesas,pero los varones mostraban mayores tasas de tabaquismo y consumo del alcohol. (AU)

Rev Panam Salud Publica;32(3),sept. 2012

Chronic Disease; obesity; Alcohol Drinking; Poverty; tobacco smoking; Nicaragua; Enfermedad Crónica; obesidad; Consumo de Bebidas Alcohólicas; Pobreza; tabaquismo; Nicaragua; Consumo de Bebidas Alcoólicas; Obesidade; Uso de Tabaco; Antropometria; Doenças Crônicas; Comorbidade; Estudos Transversais; Diabetes Mellitus; Comportamentos Saudáveis; Hipertensão; Nicarágua; Pobreza; Prevalência; Questionários; Fatores de Risco; Assunção de Riscos; População Rural; Fatores Socioeconômicos; População Urbana; Urinálise

Laux, Timothy S1,Bert, Philip J,González, Marvin,Unruh, Mark4,Aragon, Aurora,Lacourt, Cecilia Torres (2012) Prevalence of obesity, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption by socioeconomic status among six communities in Nicaragua. Rev Panam Salud Publica;32(3),sept. 2012.