Association of globalization in its different dimensions with overweight and obesity: an analysis in 10 Latin American and Caribbean countries

Abstract

Objective. To analyze the association of total globalization and its different dimensions with overweight and obesity in 10 Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries between 1995 and 2013. Materials and methods. A sample of 848 405 women aged 20-49 was analyzed. Multiple logistic regression models were used, adjusting for individual- and country-level confounding factors. To evaluate nonlineari­ties, four levels were defined through quartiles and divided into four dummy variables. Results. Total globalization had a positive association with overweight and obesity. Three dimensions of globalization (economic, political and social) indicated an increase in overweight and obesity. Social global­ization presented polynomial behaviour, whereas, in political and economic globalization, a concave relation was observed. Conclusion. The economic, political and social dimensions had a positive association with overweight and obesity.

Keywords

• globalization
• overweight
• obesity
• Latin America