[Prevalence of overweight, obesity and history of chronic disease in Mexican students]

Rev Med Inst Mex Seguro Soc. 2019 Jan 28;56(5):462-467.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Background: Chronic-degenerative diseases are the main causes of morbidity and mortality in Mexico and are associated with overweight and obesity, which are considered a global epidemic. There is an increased risk of these conditions in patients with family history of chronic-degenerative diseases.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity and its association with family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and high blood pressure (HBP) in university students from Mexico City.

Methods: An observational and prevalence study was designed. It was administered a survey to 1168 university students and their clinical history was used; multivariate analysis was performed to determine association measures (odds ratio) and statistical significance (chi squared).

Results: Combined prevalence of overweight and obesity was 36.38%, 26.02% for overweight and 10.36% for obesity. The prevalence of parental antecedents of T2DM and HBP was 42.38%; there were no significant differences by sex. The history of chronic disease increased the probability of being overweight and obese. This probability is higher if both parents have T2DM or HBP. The prevalence of T2DM/HBP comorbidity in both parents was low.

Conclusions: Family history of T2DM and HBP is associated with the combined presence of overweight and obesity, but not differentially. Students whose parents have T2DM and HBP should be monitored to prevent these diseases, especially those who already are overweight and obese.

Introducción: las enfermedades crónico-degenerativas son de las principales causas de morbimortalidad en México y están asociadas a sobrepeso y obesidad, que son consideradas una epidemia mundial. Hay un mayor riesgo de estos padecimientos en quienes tienen antecedentes familiares de enfermedades crónico-degenerativas.

Objetivo: determinar la prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad y su asociación con antecedentes parentales de diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2) e hipertensión arterial sistémica (HAS) en universitarios de la Ciudad de México.

Métodos: estudio observacional y de prevalencia; se aplicó una encuesta a 1168 universitarios y se consultó su historia clínica; se realizó un análisis multivariado para determinar medidas de asociación (razón de momios) y significación estadística con prueba de chi cuadrada.

Resultados: se encontró una prevalencia combinada de sobrepeso y obesidad de 36.38%; por separado, 26.02% de sobrepeso y 10.36% de obesidad. La prevalencia de antecedentes paternos de DM2 y HAS fue 42.38%; no hubo diferencias importantes por sexo. Los antecedentes de enfermedad crónica elevaron la probabilidad de mostrar sobrepeso y obesidad. Esta es mayor si ambos padres padecen DM2 o HAS. La prevalencia de comorbilidad DM2/HAS en ambos padres fue baja.

Conclusiones: los antecedentes familiares de DM2 y HAS están asociados a la presencia combinada de sobrepeso y obesidad, pero no diferencialmente. Se debe monitorear a los universitarios con padres con DM2 y HAS para prevenir su desarrollo, especialmente en quienes ya muestran sobrepeso y obesidad.

Keywords: Obesity; Overweight; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Hypertension; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Risk Factors.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Chronic Disease
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension
  • Male
  • Medical History Taking*
  • Mexico / epidemiology
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Obesity / epidemiology
  • Obesity / etiology
  • Overweight / epidemiology*
  • Overweight / etiology
  • Parents
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Students / statistics & numerical data*