Exposure and outcome
Mean BMI (weight/height2) and its standard deviation,
and the prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2)
were calculated by sex,
for each Brazilian State capital.
Height and weight were measured, respectively, to the
nearest 0.5 cm using a wall-mounted stadiometer, and
a calibrated digital scale with a maximum capacity of
150 kg and 100 g precision. The sex-specific agestandardized
prevalence of obesity was calculated for
each state capital, using as standard weights the Brazilian
adult population in 2003 categorized into ten-year age
groups. As BMI values below 13.0 kg/m2 and above
50.0 kg/m2 are likely due to measurement error, they were
excluded. Pregnant and breast-feeding women were also
excluded.