Lifestyle and Body Mass Index of an Adult Population in Southern Tamaulipas, Mexico

Abstract

Obesity is a multifactor disease involving genetic and environmental aspects. Objective: Assess the influence of lifestyle on the body mass index (BMI) of an adult population. Method: This descriptive study is derived from a project entitled The Eating Habits and Body Composition of Overweight and Obese Adults. The data collection phase was from January to July 2009, and the preliminary results are related to lifestyle. A format for collecting personal data was applied and anthropometric measurements were taken. For the statistical analysis, central tendency measurements were used and multiple linear regression models were constructed. Results: The largest proportions of both groups - men and women - indicated they neither smoke, nor practice sports or exercise. In the case of alcohol consumption, the largest proportion of the male group indicated alcohol consumption. The regression models showed that, in the group of participants as a whole and in the female group, the tobacco and exercise variables influenced the BMI, inasmuch as they had an effect on the regression model. These variables were significant and inversely correlated with the BMI, particularly in the case of tobacco. Discussion: The study shows that lifestyle plays an important role in the BMI of the adult population.