Background and aim:

The identification of risk factors associated with obesity helps to implement strategies for the modification of healthy behaviors and lifestyles. In the isthmus region of Oaxaca, Mexico, there are no records of this phenomenon. The present study determines the levels of obesity and the relationship with risk factors among the female population that resides in the towns of Santa Maria Xadani and Juchitan de Zaragoza.

Methods:

Through a cross-sectional study, 355 women were surveyed to document sociodemographic information, health history, and eating habits and exercise. Through a physical examination, body mass and height were measured for the calculation of the body mass index, and thus the level of obesity was established according to the Official Mexican Standard NOM-043-SSA2-2012. The information was analyzed using descriptive statistic and logistic regression.

Results:

38,6% of women are overweight and in 39,2% some level of obesity was found. The risk factors identified were rural origin, the habit of dinning, family history o cfhronic degenerative diseases and sedentary lifestyle, which represent a risk of 1,6; 1,6; 1,8 and 1,9 times more to develop some level of obesity, respectively.

Conclusions:

The prevalence of overweight and obesity among women was high (77,8%). Four risk factors for the development of obesity were identified. It is necessary to implement strategies for attention to the problem in the population studied, particularly in children.