Excess Weight Among Adults Living in the Coastal Brazilian Amazon: Prevalence, Determinants, and Interventions

Excess weight is a global public health issue related to the accumulation of body fat and can be caused by various factors. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of excess weight among adults living in a coastal area of the Brazilian Amazon. Methods. This cross-sectional study included 407 adults residing in Bragança, Pará, northern Brazil. Socioeconomic, demographic, behavioral, and morbidity data were analyzed using Poisson regression to identify potential associations with excess weight. The prevalence of excess weight was 63.3%. Behavioral factors directly associated with excess weight included avoiding raw salads and boiled eggs. The outcome was associated with factors related to morbidity, such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus. However, walking to work was found to be a protective factor against excessive weight. The high prevalence of excess weight detected in this coastal Amazon region indicates a desire to prioritize this issue in local public health agendas. Implementing individual and community-based interventions can help reduce health risks and improve the population's quality of life.