High waist-to-height ratio and associated factors in adolescents from a city in Southern Brazil: a cross-sectional study

Rev Paul Pediatr. 2021 Oct 4:40:e2020468. doi: 10.1590/1984-0462/2022/40/2020468. eCollection 2021.
[Article in English, Portuguese]

Abstract

Objective: To verify the prevalence of abdominal obesity with the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and associated factors in adolescents from a city in Southern Brazil.

Methods: A total of 960 adolescents (494 boys) aged 15-18 years old participated in this study. The dependent variable was WHtR; independent variables were self-reported age, economic level, sexual maturation, physical activity level, screen time, and body fat. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression.

Results: It was observed that 36.7% of the adolescents presented high WHtR (50.2% in girls and 23.9% in boys). Regardless of sex, adolescents with high body fat were more likely of having high WHtR (boys: Odds Ratio [OR] 29.79; 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 16.87-52.62; girls: OR 19.43; 95%CI 10.51-35.94). In girls, high WHtR was associated with age (OR 1.83; 95%CI 1.17-2.87), and in boys, with economic level (OR 2.34; 95%CI 1.01-5.45).

Conclusions: One in each three adolescents has abdominal obesity. Among adolescents with high body fat, girls aged 15-16 and boys with high-income are the groups most exposed to abdominal obesity.

Objetivo:: Verificar a prevalência de obesidade abdominal, por meio da razão cintura-estatura (RCE), e fatores associados em adolescentes de uma cidade do sul do Brasil.

Métodos:: Participaram 965 adolescentes (499 meninos) de 15 a 18 anos. A variável dependente foi a RCE elevada e as variáveis independentes foram idade, nível econômico, maturação sexual, nível de atividade física, tempo de tela e adiposidade corporal. Os dados foram analisados por meio de estatística descritiva e regressão logística.

Resultados:: 36,7% dos adolescentes apresentaram RCE elevada (50,2% das meninas e 23,9% dos meninos). Independentemente do sexo, os adolescentes com adiposidade corporal elevada apresentaram maiores chances de terem RCE elevada (masculino: OR 30,91; IC95% 17,37–55,00; feminino: OR 19,18; IC95% 10,39–35,40). Nas meninas, observou-se associação da RCE elevada com idade (OR 1,88; IC95% 1,20–2,94) e, nos meninos, com nível econômico (OR 2,35; IC95% 1,01–5,46).

Conclusões:: Um em cada três adolescentes tem obesidade abdominal. Adolescentes com adiposidade corporal elevada, meninas de 15–16 anos e meninos de nível econômico alto são os grupos mais expostos à obesidade abdominal.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Body Mass Index
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Obesity, Abdominal* / epidemiology
  • Waist Circumference
  • Waist-Height Ratio*