Association between obesity and musculoskeletal symptoms in a working population--cross-sectional study/ASSOCIACAO ENTRE OBESIDADE E SINTOMAS MUSCULOESQUELETICOS EM TRABALHADORES--ESTUDO TRANSVERSAL

Background: Musculoskeletal symptoms are common and affect people of all ages and may occur in one (single-site) or in several regions of the body (multisite). Obesity may be associated with these symptoms. Objective: To evaluate the association between obesity and single-site and multisite symptoms in a working population. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with white and blue collar workers from several economic sectors. 1,233 workers were evaluated and 644 composed the sample. Personal and occupational characteristics were assessed using a sociodemographic questionnaire. Musculoskeletal symptoms were identified using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Symptom Questionnaire (NMQ). The Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated and dichotomized in obese ([greater than or equal to] 30 kg/[m.sup.2]) and non-obese (