Anthropometry in Tarahumara Indian women of reproductive age in northern Mexico

Recent studies point to an increasing prevalence of obesity and its consequences among American Indians. This study was conducted to assess whether overweight may constitute a problem among adolescent and adult women in one of the most isolated ethnic groups in North America. A population‐based sample of 459 Tarahumara women was taken from Guachochi Municipality in northern Mexico. A BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 was found in 16.9% of women aged 25–49 years old. A BMI‐for‐age ≥ 85th percentile was found in 14.3% and 16.8% of women aged 12–17 and 18–24 years respectively. Very few women had a BMI < 18.5 while a normal BMI (18.5–24.9) was present in 50.3% of women living in communities with < 100 inhabitants but only 35.5% of those living in localities with ≥ 100 inhabitants. Literacy and bilingualism were positively associated with overweight. Overweight does appear to be a problem of increasing public health significance, particularly where "Mestizo” influence is likely to growing. Systematic efforts to prevent obesity are needed. Key words: AnthropometryoverweightobesityTarahumaraIndianwomanMexico Notes Corresponding author. Tel: +46 (18) 511598; Fax: +46 (18) 515380; E‐mail: [email protected]

Anthropometry · Environmental health · Ethnic group · Geography · Obesity · Overweight · Percentile · Population · Public health · Sociology · Demography · Medicine · Nutritional Studies and Diet · Obesity and Health Practices · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Gerontology

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