Nutricional state and cardiovascular risk factors in mapuche huilliche women in Osorno Province

Abstract

Objective: In order to make available disaggregated information on nutritional state and cardiovascular risk factors among Mapuche Huilliche women, and establish a baseline for future studies and initiatives, a statistically representative sample of MapucheHuilliche women, heads of households, in rural and urban areas in Osorno Province. Materials and Methods: A non-experimental, cross-sectional, descriptive study design was used. Results: 48% had a BMI>30, 18.1% higher than the national average. 42.1% showed abdominal obesity (waist circumference >83cm) and 73.5% showed high risk values of waist-hip and waist-height ratios. The relationship of these indicators to other variables such as age, rural residence, blood pressure and chronic non transmissible diseases is discussed. Conclusions: A high prevalence of cardiovascular risk was found, as well as low perception of nutritional state as related to BMI.