SummaryObesity is an endemic health problem in most developed countries, requiring serious public health attention. The first Portuguese nationwide representative survey about obesity (with objective anthropometric measurement) was undertaken from 1995 to 1998. This paper presents data coming from the second and most recent nationwide representative study of obesity, with objective measurement of weight, height, waist and hip circumferences. Data were collected between January 2003 and January 2005. The survey collected objective body mass index (BMI) values of 8116 participants aged 18-64. Main findings were: 2.4% of the sample had low weight (BMI < 18.5), 39.4% were overweight (BMI between 25.0 and 29.9), and 14.2% obese (BMI Ն 30). Waist circumference measurement showed that 45.6% of the sample suffers increased cardiovascular health risks associated with high waist circumference. The overall overweight/ obesity prevalence increased from 49.6% (in 1995-1998) to 53.6% (in 2003-2005). These data suggest that although obesity was identified as a public health problem one decade ago, action to reduce it does not seem to have been very effective to date. Well-defined public health intervention must be targeted to specific population groups where higher levels of obesity prevalence were found: low socioeconomic level groups and low-education level groups.

Variations in the individual anatomy of the corpus callosum have been reported in several conditions. There seem to be genetic influencing factors, but it is impossible to rule out some environmental ones. This study focuses on the question of the environmental factors, using formal learning to read and write as the main difference in the groups to be compared. Based on magnetic resonance imaging sagital images, the contour of the corpus callosum (CC) of 41 carefully selected women (18 illiterate and 23 literate) was digitized. The comparison between the two groups showed a small difference in the region of the CC where parietal fibres are thought to cross. This region is thinner in illiterate subjects. As illiteracy in this group is the result of social constraints, and the two groups that were compared are well matched for other cultural and pragmatic aspects than literacy, the results are interpreted as showing the possible influence of formal learning to read and write, on the biological development of the brain.

Results on weight and metabolic control support INDIVIDUO as a valuable clinical tool for obesity surgery candidates counseling. Additionally, intervention associated with perceived competence for weight-control behaviours and autonomous regulation.

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