The burden of disease from undernutrition and overnutrition in countries undergoing rapid nutrition transition: a view from Brazil.

On the basis of 3 comparable population-based surveys conducted in Brazil, we identified clear changes in the relative magnitude of women's undernutrition and overnutrition. In 1975, there were almost 2 cases of underweight to 1 case of obesity, whereas in 1997, there were more than 2 cases of obesity to 1 case of underweight. In 1997, Brazilian low-income women were significantly more susceptible than high-income women to both underweight and obesity.