OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of abdominal obesity in adolescents and its association with demographic, economic and lifestyle variables in adolescents. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled 644 adolescents (397 girls and 247 boys) from 15 to 19 years old. Demographic (gender and age), economic (economic status), and lifestyle data (physical activity, diet, smoking, and alcohol consumption) were collected. Abdominal obesity (primary outcome) was evaluated based on the cut-off values for gender- and age-specific waist circumference. Data were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression, estimating the unadjusted and adjusted Odds Ratios (OR) with a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: The prevalence of abdominal obesity was 7.5%. Boys (OR 2.34; 95%CI 1.27-4.32) of intermediate (OR 2.89; 95%CI 1.35-6.59) and high socioeconomic status (OR 2.98; 95%CI 1.31-6.77) who had an excessive consumption of alcohol (OR 2.12; 95%CI 1.10-4.09) presented the highest chance of abdominal obesity. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of abdominal obesity was low in the studied population compared to rates reported in international studies. Gender, economic status and excessive alcohol consumption were associated with abdominal obesity.
adolescent; waist circumference; physical activity; food habits
