[Prevalence of obesity and potential causal factors among adults in southern Brazil]

To estimate the prevalence of obesity and potential causal factors among adults living in the urban area of Lages, Southern Brazil.

Population based cross-sectional study with a sample of 2,022 adults from 20 to 59 years-old. Obesity was assessed by the body mass index (BMI > or = 30 kg/m(2)). Exploratory variable were collected at adults households using questionnaire and included age, schooling, per capita familial income, parity, obesity familial episodes, and level of physical activity. Simple and multiple Poisson regression analyses were performed.

The prevalence of obesity was 23.5 (95% CI 21.6-25.3). The prevalence of obesity was higher in women (26.1%) than in men (19.3). In the final model, adjusted for confounders, were associated with obesity among women: older ages, low schooling and familial episodes of obesity; for men were associated with obesity: older ages and those with insufficient physical activity.

Factors associated with obesity differ between men and women. The prevalence of obesity was higher in women and it was associated with low income and elderly.