Prevalence of overweight, obesity and central obesity and factors associated with BMI in indigenous yaqui people: a probabilistic cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND: The Yaquis are an Indigenous group who inhabit in the state of Sonora in northwestern Mexico. This group has experienced changes in their lifestyle, moving from a traditional lifestyle to a more modern one, resulting in an increase of obesity and its comorbidities. However, few studies have been done in this group. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of overweight, obesity and central obesity and to identify the factors associated with body mass index (BMI) in a representative sample of Indigenous Yaqui people from Sonora, Mexico. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey with multistage sampling was conducted among adults (N = 351) with residence in Yaqui traditional villages (Vícam, Pótam, Loma de Guamúchil, Loma de Bácum, Tórim, Ráhum, Huiribis or Belem). Anthropometric measurements were taken to diagnose overweight, obesity and central obesity. Food frequency and physical activity (PA) questionnaires designed for the Yaqui population were applied, as well as sociodemographic and clinical history questionnaires. The factors associated with BMI were assessed using multiple linear regression considering the complex design of the sampling. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight, obesity and central obesity in the population were 36.5%, 35.0% and 76.0%, respectively. Having higher values of the modernization index (β = 0.20, p = 0.049) was associated with a higher BMI, while having a higher consumption of a “prudent” dietary pattern (traditional dishes, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy) (β = -0.58, p = 0.009) and performing a greater number of hours per week of vigorous PA (β = -0.14, p = 0.017) were associated with a lower BMI. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of the studied abnormalities is high. The evidence presented in this study suggests that interventions are needed and more research is required to determine the appropriate components of such interventions, in order to meet the needs of the Yaqui people.