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Nutritional profile and obesity: results from a random-sample population-based study in Córdoba, Argentina

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Abstract

Introduction

Obesity is a chronic, heterogeneous, multifactorial disease, which has sharply increased in prevalence in both developed and developing countries. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of obesity and to identify socio-demographic risk factors associated with it, with special emphasis on diet.

Methods

Nutritional status, demographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, and food consumption patterns derived from a Food Frequency Questionnaire were investigated. Exhaustive exploratory analyses were performed in order to describe dietary patterns, and logistic regression models were used for odds ratio estimation.

Results

The study included 4328 subjects, over 18 years old and resident in Cordoba city. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 34 and 17 %, respectively, with 60 % in men and 45 % in women of BMI ≥ 25. Obesity risk factors were high intake of sodium, refined grains, starchy vegetables, and snacks. A lower risk of overweight and obesity was associated with an adequate, moderate intake of meats, eggs, alcoholic beverages, sugar and sweets, milk, yogurt, and pulses.

Conclusions

A high intake of snacks, refined grains, starchy vegetables and sodium and low intake of yogurt, milk, pulses, and whole grains seem to be associated with the emergence and high prevalence of obesity in Cordoba, Argentina.

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Abbreviations

OR:

Odds ratio

METs:

Metabolic equivalent of tasks

FFQ:

Food Frequency Questionnaire

LR:

Logistic regression

BMI:

Body Mass Index

IL:

Instruction level

SES:

Socio-economic status

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Acknowledgments

This research was partially supported by the National Science and Technology Agency (FONCyT) grants PICT 2008-1814 and PICT-O 2005-36035, and the Science and Technology Secretary of the University of Córdoba (SECyT-UNC) Grant 05/H207. Ana De La Quintana’s research was supported by fellowship provided by SECyT-UNC. The authors also would like to acknowledge the collaboration of all the participants in the sample.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Statistics and Biostatistics Unit, School of Nutrition, Faculty of Medical Sciences, National University of Córdoba, Enrique Barros esq. Enfermera Gordillo, Ciudad Universitaria, 5000, Córdoba, Argentina

    Laura R. Aballay & María del Pilar Diaz

  2. Laboratorio di Epidemiologia e Biostatistica, IRCCS Saverio de Bellis, Via Turi, 27, 70013, Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy

    Alberto R. Osella

  3. School of Nutrition, Faculty of Medical Sciences, National University of Córdoba, Enrique Barros esq. Enfermera Gordillo, Ciudad Universitaria, 5000, Córdoba, Argentina

    Ana G. De La Quintana

Authors
  1. Laura R. Aballay
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  2. Alberto R. Osella
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  3. Ana G. De La Quintana
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  4. María del Pilar Diaz
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Correspondence to María del Pilar Diaz.

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Aballay, L.R., Osella, A.R., De La Quintana, A.G. et al. Nutritional profile and obesity: results from a random-sample population-based study in Córdoba, Argentina. Eur J Nutr 55, 675–685 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-015-0887-0

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