P4404Prevalence of overweight, obesity and metabolic syndrome among adult Ecuadorian population: The ENSANUT study

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) have a major impact on the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Little information exists on the prevalence of obesity and MetS in Latin America and specifically in Ecuador. Purpose: We aimed to estimate the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and MetS in the adult population of Ecuador. Methods: Data from a nationwide cross-sectional population-based survey (ENSANUT-ECU), of 10.318 participants (3684 men, 6634 women; age range: 18-59 years) conducted in 2012 were analyzed. Data related to location (urban and rural), altitude (<500, 500-1500 and >1500 meters above the see level (MASL)), region (highland, coast, amazon, and Galápagos), and socioeconomic status were collected. Overweight and obesity were defined by the cut-off of ≥25 and ≥30 respectively. MetS was defined according to the harmonized criteria of a joint interim statement of the International Diabetes Federation task force Agestandardized prevalence and estimated numbers of people being overweight, obese and having MetS were calculated. Results: The age standardized prevalence of overweight, obesity, and MetS in the Ecuadorian population were 39,5% (CI 38,3-40,7), 22,3% (CI 21,4-23,2), and 31,2% (CI 30,1-32,3) respectively. The prevalence of obesity was higher in women (women: 25,8% vs. men: 15,9%), however sex differences were not observed regarding the prevalence of MetS. Furthermore, women showed higher prevalence of abdominal obesity (women:74,7% vs. men:45,8%) and lower HDLcholesterol (women:68,5% vs. men:46%, P<0,001) while men had higher prevalence of hypertension (women:14,6%, vs. men:27,1% P<0,001). Prevalence of obesity, and MetS was higher in urban areas (urban 24,1% vs rural 18,9%, and 33,7% vs 27,0%, respectively), at low altitude regions (<500 MASL 24,4% vs >1500 MASL, vs 19,9%, and 34,1% vs 29,5%, respectively), and at high socioeconomic status (low income 16,3% vs high income vs 22,7%, and 23,6% vs 32,4%, respectively). Conclusions: These findings resemble the epidemiological transition being experienced by countries in Latin America and the global increase of noncommunicable diseases. Research and prevention efforts are essential to hold the current pandemic of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.