Gender disparities in dietary intake and obesity prevalence among Mexican adults: A cross-country comparison between Mexico and the U.S

Overview. In Mexico the prevalence of female obesity (BMI≥30) is substantially greater than male obesity. The United States also has a high prevalence of adult obesity, especially among Mexican-Americans. The main objectives were to examine global trends in overweight and obesity by gender, and to examine the associations between gender disparities in dietary intake and obesity in Mexico and the U.S.;Methods. A literature search examined the prevelances in overweight and obesity by gender, globally. Gender disparities in associations between measures of excess body weight (based on body mass index and central adiposity) and markers of dietary intake were examined in Mexico and the U.S., specifically, among native Mexican, Mexico- and U.S.-born Mexican-American, and non-Hispanic white adults. The nationally-representative 2006 Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT) and, the 2003--2006 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES) were analyzed using weighted logistic regression modeling. Cluster analysis was used to extract dietary patterns among the four ethnic groups.;Results. From the literature search, globally, more females are obese than males. Dietary patterns among all groups included patterns high in energy dense foods. Gender differences in total fat and dairy intake (and derived dietary patterns that included fat or dairy) were associated with markers of excess body weight among all four ethnic groups. No statistically significant effect modification by sex was found, but stratified analyses revealed different associations by sex. More significant associations between dietary indicators and excess body weight were observed among non-Hispanic whites compared to the other three Mexican ethnic groups.;Conclusion. Globally, there is a greater prevalence of female obesity. Dietary patterns high in energy-dense foods and beverages are indicative of the nutrition transition in Mexico and the 'Western diet' in the U.S. Overall, dietary factors are more strongly associated with obesity among non-Hispanic whites compared to those of Mexican ethnicity, which suggests that other non-dietary factors may be more strongly associated with obesity among both native Mexicans and Mexican-Americans. Further research will elucidate how the relationship between dietary intake and excess body weight varies significantly by gender with respect to both country and birthplace.