Revista de Investigación E Innovación En Ciencias de la Salud · Jun 30, 2026
The Burden of Obesity in Argentina (2005–2022): The Role of Socioeconomic Status and Gender in Shaping BMI Trends
By Staurini S, Niclis C, Osella AR et al.
Introduction. Understanding Body Mass Index (BMI) trends over time is essential for addressing the global overweight and obesity pandemic and its associated health risks. However, evidence from low- and middle-income countries remains limited. This study analyzed long-term BMI trends in Argentina (2005-2018), examining variations by age, sex, and socioeconomic status (SES), and comparing patterns according to the presence of obesity-related chronic diseases in adults. Method. Data were obtained from repeated cross-sectional, population-based Argentine surveys: the National Risk Factors Survey (2005, 2009, 2013 and 2018; n = 126,590). Age specific BMI trends were estimated using three-age moving medians. Polynomial curves were fitted to estimate the age at maximum BMI (maxBMI) and its corresponding value in the general population according to sex, SES, and chronic conditions (hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus). Results. A steady increase in mean BMI was observed across survey waves. Overall, maxBMI was reached between approximately 58–61 years of age, and its value was similar for men and women; however, women reached maxBMI at slightly older ages. The low SES group showed both a higher maxBMI and an earlier age at maxBMI than the high SES group. Additionally, individuals with hypertension or type 2 diabetes exhibited a higher maxBMI, which occurred at earlier ages than in participants without these conditions. Conclusions. BMI increased steadily in Argentina during the study period, with differences according to sex, SES, and health status. Unlike conventional approaches based on average BMI values, age-specific BMI curves allow for a life-course perspective on obesity dynamics. This approach highlights the importance of considering these factors when monitoring BMI as population health indicator, especially among socially disadvantaged groups.