Excesso de peso e apiposidade abdominal em indígenas Fulni-ô de Águas Belas (PE)

Abstract

The influences of other cultures on the indigenous lifestyle can explain several behavioral changes between the different tribes that occupy the Brazilian territory. Regarding the changes in health, understanding that food practices are also subject to external influences, changes in the body composition of these individuals are observed. Thus, the objective of this study was to describe the anthropometric profile of an indigenous population of the Fulni-ô ethnic group from Águas Belas (PE). Anthropometric data were collected from 91 individuals, of both sexes, aged between 20 and 59 years. For men, 61.1% were overweight and 72.7% were women. They were not identified in the study population. Regarding the measurement of the waist circumference measure, considering that its elevation indicates a risk for the development of metabolic complications associated with obesity, the results were: 83.6% of the women and 44.5% of the men in risk conditions. The case of the Fulni-ô indigenous adult population makes clear the importance of evaluating the anthropometric profile of indigenous groups, primarily due to the consequences of social and cultural changes that directly affect the characteristics of food and, consequently, anthropometric indicators.