Overweight in Brazilian industry workers: Prevalence and association with demographic and socioeconomic factors and soft drink intake

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of overweight in industry workers and its association with demographic and socioeconomic factors and soft drink intake (including type). Methods: This is a nationwide cross-sectional cohort survey of "Lifestyle and leisure habits of industry workers" conducted between 2006 and 2008 in 24 Brazilian federate units. The participants answered a previously tested questionnaire and self-reported their weight and height. Statistical analyses consisted of crude and adjusted Poisson regression. Results: Males and females had overweight prevalences of 45.7% (95%CI=45.1; 46.2) and 28.1% (95%CI=27.4; 28.9) respectively. Older and married individuals and those working in medium-sized and large factories were more likely to be overweight. Males with higher education levels and gross family incomes were also more likely to be overweight, but not females. Finally, men (PR=1.24; 95%CI=1.13; 1.36) and women (PR=1.40; 95%CI=1.22; 1.61) who consumed diet/light soft drinks were also more likely to be overweight than those who did not consume soft drinks. Conclusion: More than one-third of the workers were overweight according to their self-reported weight and height, and the prevalence of overweight was higher in males. Demographic and socioeconomic variables and diet/light soft drink intake were associated with overweight. These data may be helpful for the development of actions that reduce the risk of overweight in this population.