Overweight among children under five years of age in municipalities of the semiarid region.

Objective: To measure the prevalence and to identify factors associated with overweight among children under five years old living in two municipalities in the semiarid region of Piauí, Brazil.

Methods: Previously trained interviewers visited all of the households in these municipalities and applied standard questionnaires to the mothers of the children. The questionnaires sought information on: the demographic characteristics of the mother and children, the family's socioeconomic status, care received during pregnancy and at childbirth, breastfeeding and dietary patterns.