ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to describe the metabolic and anthropometric profile of the Xikrin (Mebengôkre), an indigenous group. METHODS: A total of 363 subjects (55.1% women) aged 18 years or older were evaluated. The variables analyzed were age, body weight and height, waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, triglyceride level, and total cholesterol level. RESULTS: A high prevalence of obesity (36.5%) and central obesity (88.1%), mainly among women (46.9% and 96.2%, respectively), was found among the Xikrin (Mebengôkre). Impaired fasting glycemia and diabetes were found in 4.5% and 3.8% of adults, respectively. Twenty-one percent of adults had dyslipidemia and 9.3% had hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of excess weight (overweight and obesity) and central obesity, especially in women, was the most significant finding of this study among the Xikrin (Mebengôkre).
