Abdominal perimeter is associated with food intake, sociodemographic and behavioral factors among adults in southern Brazil: a population-based study

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the abdominal perimeter determinants in adults who live in the city of Lages, SC. A population-based cross-sectional study in adults from 20 to 59 years-old of the urban area (n=2.022). The dependent variable is the abdominal perimeter, the independent variables are: age, skin color self-reported, marital status, number of children, per capita income, education, physical activity, smoking, nutrition, self-reported diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, body weight index. The differences between the mean perimeters were tested using ANOVA test and multiple linear regression for confounding adjustment. The response rate was 98.2%, 52.3% were women. The mean abdominal perimeter for men was 93.66 cm (SD 13.8) and for women 92.80 cm (SD 14.5). Therewas a positive association of abdominal circumference with age (p<0.001) and negative regarding education. The abdominal perimeter means were higher for those insufficiently active (p<0.001), for former smokers (p<0.001), for those who consumed meat without fat removal (p = 0.001), for those who consumed fruit less than 5 times a week (p<0.001) and for those who were overweight (p<0.001). Remained positively associated with changes in abdominal obesity, insufficient physical activity, smoking, former smoker and consumption of meat without fat removal. All proximal variables remained positively associated with abdominal perimeter. The results have confirmed that diet, lifestyle and sociodemographic conditions determine a different distribution in abdominal fat, it is needed actions to promote a healthy lifestyle (AU).