Related Experiment Videos
Shifting obesity trends in Brazil
C A Monteiro1, M H D'A Benicio, W L Conde
1Department of Nutrition and Center for Epidemiological Studies in Health and Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. carlosam@usp.br
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|April 4, 2000
Summary
Obesity prevalence in Brazil showed complex trends, with recent declines in upper-income urban women, possibly due to public health campaigns. This contrasts with earlier increases across most groups.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Sociology
Background:
- Secular trends in obesity are a growing global concern, particularly in developing nations.
- Understanding socio-economic and regional disparities in obesity prevalence is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze long-term trends in obesity prevalence among Brazilian adults.
- To identify variations in obesity trends across different socio-economic strata and geographic settings.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of anthropometric and socio-economic data from three large-scale Brazilian household surveys (1975, 1989, 1997).
- Inclusion of adults over 20 years old, defining obesity by a body mass index (BMI) of 30.0 kg/m² or higher.
- Focus on data from the two most populous regions of Brazil.
Main Results:
- Obesity prevalence increased across most groups between 1975 and 1989, with an exception for rural men.
- From 1989 to 1997, obesity trends became more complex, with higher increases in men, rural populations, and poorer families.
- A significant reduction in obesity was observed in upper-income urban women during 1989-1997 (28% decrease).
Conclusions:
- Obesity trends in Brazil initially mirrored global patterns but diverged significantly in the later period.
- The decline in obesity among affluent urban women is a unique finding for a developing country, comparable to Scandinavian populations.
- Public health initiatives promoting healthy lifestyles and dietary habits may explain the observed reduction in obesity among this demographic.