Objective

To analyze overweight and obesity prevalence among community health agents in southern Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, according to sociodemographic, behavioral and health variables.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted using data collected in 21 municipalities between March 2016 and May 2017. Weight and height data were self-reported by participants. Multinomial logistic regression was used.

Results

Data from 564 community health agents were analyzed, 0.5% were classified as underweight, 29.8% as having normal weight, 39.2% were overweight and 30.5% were obese. Presence of obesity was negatively associated with working in rural area health centers (OR=0.58 – 95%CI 0.34;0.98) and doing physical activity (OR=0.57 – 95%CI 0.36;0.90); presence of obesity was positively associated with anxiety (OR=1.97 – 95%CI 1.12;3.45), hypertension (OR=2.91 – 95%CI 1.63;5.18), and diabetes (OR=6.25 – 95%CI 2.15;18.21).

Conclusion

Overweight and obesity prevalence was high and associated with chronic diseases, anxiety, physical inactivity and working in urban areas.

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